Softball rebounds in tourney, women’s hoops falls

The Knights took four-of-five games in the UCF & Courtyard by Marriott Invitational.

With the strong showing at home, the Knights improved to 8-7 after losing six straight games.

Freshman pitcher Mackenzie Audas (4-4) took the mound in the second meeting with Eastern Michigan Sunday afternoon, defeating the Eagles for the second time in two days, 4-3, in a close matchup at the UCF Softball Complex to close out the event.

"We've been battling these last two weeks in trying to get things situated, cutting down errors, and our bats a little hotter," head coach Renee Luers-Gillispie said. "With 10 hits and no errors, the girls came out and decided they really wanted to play."

UCF also defeated Seton Hall, 3-1, and Florida Gulf Coast, 2-1.

The Knights' sole loss of the event was against Jacksonville on Saturday, 3-2.

The Knights will finish their final game with Eastern Michigan on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the UCF Softball Complex.

—Amy Foist

Women's basketball suffers tough road loss at Houston

UCF (12-15, 7-8) fell to a struggling Houston (3-24, 2-13) team on the road, losing to the Cougars 66-53.

Kayli Keough led the team with 17 points while Aisha Patrick added another double-double to her résumé with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

Houston stepped up its defensive game and held UCF to 32 percent shooting from the field while recording 5 blocks and 8 steals. Houston freshman guard Danielle Parks was eight-of-14 for the game and scored a game-high 24 points.

UCF returns home for its final regular season game on Thursday when they face Marshall (15-12, 6-8).

—Miranda Burgan

UCF women's tennis falls to No. 10 Tennessee

The UCF Knights women's tennis team (3-7) was no match for the Tennessee Lady Vols (9-3) on Saturday, falling 7-0. Tennesee started the day by taking two-of-three doubles matches to take the doubles point and never looked back. The Knights were swept in singles play.

UCF will now look forward to hosting Michigan State on Friday. The match will start at 4 p.m. at the UCF Tennis Complex.

—Steven RyzewskI