The UCF women’s basketball team will return to Orlando for a home game against Stetson on Wednesday, December 3, at Addition Financial Arena. The matchup follows the Knights’ recent participation in the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout, where they secured two wins and one loss.
During their time in San Juan, UCF defeated East Carolina and Rice but fell to Wake Forest in overtime. Head coach Sytia Messer has guided the team to a strong start this season.
Stetson arrives after winning two games in Nashville over Thanksgiving week. The Hatters are among the top teams nationally in three-point shooting, ranking third in three-pointers made per game and 11th in three-point percentage. Stetson is led by Lynn Bria, who previously coached UCF from 1996 to 1999 and took the Knights to the NCAA tournament during her tenure.
Leah Harmon was recently named to the Big 12 Starting Five after scoring 78 points across four games. “Averaging 19.5 points as the Black and Gold went 3-1, including a 2-1 record at the Discover Puerto Rico Shootout in San Juan, Harmon has broken records throughout her opening eight games of the season,” according to UCF Athletics. Harmon set a career high with 27 points against Rice and became just the 16th Knight since 1999 to reach double digits in free throws made during a neutral site game.
The Knights opened their trip to Puerto Rico with a win over East Carolina, highlighted by scoring 52 points in the paint—the most since December 2024 against Texas Southern. Despite an overtime loss to Wake Forest, UCF achieved season highs with offensive rebounds and second-chance points. The victory over Rice marked the program’s 700th win.
Harmon leads UCF with 139 points through eight games, which is among the highest totals for any transfer or player at this stage of a season for the program since 2015. She currently ranks seventh in scoring within the Big 12 Conference.
UCF has maintained dominance against other Florida teams, holding a seven-game winning streak against in-state opponents and outscoring them by a significant margin over recent contests. Coach Messer holds a record of seven wins and three losses versus Florida schools since taking charge.
The team’s shooting performance against Florida A&M earlier this season was notable for its efficiency; their field goal percentage was one of the best marks under Coach Messer’s leadership.
Depth has been another strength for UCF this year, as all players have contributed off the bench. The Knights are ranked fifth in their conference for bench scoring.
Single-game and season tickets are available for purchase online or via phone through ucfknights.com/tickets or by calling (407) 823-1000.
“UCF is a proud member of the Big 12 Conference. Our mission is to positively transform the lives of our students academically, athletically, and personally through a nationally competitive intercollegiate athletics program that enhances the reputation and visibility of the University,” stated UCF Athletics. More information about UCF Athletics can be found at www.ucf.edu and www.ucfknights.com.
