OVIEDO, Fla. (Interstat) — In a stunning upset defying heavy pregame odds, the Charlotte 49ers women’s basketball team edged the UCF Knights 66-64 in a non-conference thriller Sunday at CFE Arena.

The Knights, projected by Interstat’s ELO system to have an 85.6 percent chance of victory, saw their record level at 1-1, while Charlotte improved to 2-1.

The game was a tale of two halves, defined by a disastrous second quarter for the home team that ultimately proved too deep a hole to escape. UCF started strong, leveraging their size in the paint to take a 19-13 lead after the first period. The momentum shifted violently in the second quarter, as the Knights’ offense went ice-cold. UCF managed just seven points in the frame, while Charlotte’s offense ignited for 23 points, sending the 49ers into halftime with a commanding 36-26 advantage.

Charlotte’s offensive catalyst was Princess Anderson. The 5-foot-7 guard from Beaumont, Texas, torched the Knights for a game-high 26 points, adding four rebounds in 28 minutes of action. Her scoring prowess was the steadying force for the 49ers throughout the contest.

While Anderson handled the scoring load, the foundation of Charlotte’s victory was built on the glass by Asianae Nicholson. The 5-foot-10 forward from South Euclid, Ohio, delivered a monstrous performance, hauling in 18 rebounds to go with nine points in 33 minutes. Her work on the boards, particularly on the defensive end, limited UCF’s second-chance opportunities and was instrumental in weathering the Knights’ second-half push.

UCF emerged from the locker room with renewed vigor, outscoring Charlotte 22-17 in the third quarter to claw their way back into the game. The Knights continued to press in the fourth, but the 49ers did just enough to maintain their narrow lead, matching UCF’s intensity and securing the final possessions to seal the two-point victory.

Leah Harmon led the charge for UCF. The 5-foot-6 guard from Paterson, New Jersey, filled the stat sheet with 17 points, four rebounds and five assists in a team-high 35 minutes. Her playmaking kept the Knights within striking distance during their second-half rally.

UCF’s frontcourt, a perceived strength, saw contributions from several players. Mahogany Chandler-Roberts of Portland, Oregon, posted nine points and six rebounds, while Khyala Ngodu of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, added seven points and seven rebounds. Savannah Scott provided a significant defensive presence off the bench, blocking four shots in just 14 minutes of play.

For Charlotte, the win was a collective effort beyond the standout performances of Anderson and Nicholson. Janavia Gage, a 6-foot-3 post player from Huntsville, Texas, provided valuable interior minutes, grabbing eight rebounds and scoring six points. Point guard Tanajah Hayes, a hometown product from Charlotte, North Carolina, directed the offense effectively, dishing out eight assists.

The game was a statistical slugfest. UCF held a slight edge in points in the paint, 30-26, but Charlotte was more efficient at capitalizing on mistakes, scoring 21 points off turnovers compared to UCF’s 16. The 49ers’ ability to dominate the second quarter and control the tempo for long stretches was the decisive factor.

Charlotte entered the contest with a split record, having defeated Campbell 61-50 on Thursday after dropping their season opener to Auburn 71-58 on Monday. UCF had opened their season with a dominant 75-36 victory over Bethune-Cookman.

The 49ers now face a daunting road test, traveling to face LSU on Wednesday. Their upcoming schedule remains challenging, with a trip to California and neutral-site games against Oklahoma State and George Washington in Canada later this month.

UCF will look to rebound when they return to CFE Arena to host Florida International on Tuesday, Nov. 18. The Knights’ schedule also features a multi-team event in San Juan, Puerto Rico, around the Thanksgiving holiday.

The announced attendance for the Sunday afternoon contest was 973.