Struggling Big 12 Teams Seek Rare Win as UCF Visits Houston

HOUSTON (Interstat) — Two teams mired in lengthy conference losing streaks will meet Sunday when the UCF Knights visit the Houston Cougars in a Big 12 women’s basketball matchup at Hofheinz Pavilion.

Both programs enter the contest desperate to halt extended skids. UCF (10-18, 1-14 Big 12) has lost nine consecutive games, with its last win coming on Jan. 18 against Colorado. Houston (7-21, 2-13) has fared only slightly better, dropping its last eight contests. The Cougars’ most recent victory was a 72-70 home win over Cincinnati on Feb. 1.

Despite the dismal records, the game features two of the conference’s most dynamic individual scorers. UCF will lean on guard Khyala Ngodu, who is coming off a 21-point performance in a 74-62 loss to West Virginia on Wednesday. Over her last five games, Ngodu is averaging 10.2 points.

Houston’s offense runs through guard Kyndall Hunter, who has been a bright spot during the losing streak. She scored 21 points in Tuesday’s 75-67 loss at Arizona, marking her second 20-point outing in the last four games. Hunter is averaging 14.5 points over that four-game stretch.

The Knights’ recent struggles are underscored by defensive woes. During their nine-game slide, they have allowed an average of 80.2 points per game and surrendered 93 points in losses to Baylor and Kansas State earlier this month.

Houston has faced similar challenges, particularly with offensive consistency outside of Hunter. The Cougars have failed to reach 70 points in any of their eight consecutive losses and were held to 50 points or fewer in losses to TCU on Feb. 4 and Feb. 18.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, UCF holds a narrow projection advantage with a 50.70 percent probability to win.

In their most recent outing, UCF’s Ngodu, Kayanna Cox (11 points) and Kristol Ayson (12 points) led the effort in the loss to West Virginia. For Houston in its last game, Hunter was supported by TK Pitts (12 points) and Amirah Abdur-Rahim (10 points).

Sunday’s game represents one of the final opportunities for either team to build momentum before the Big 12 tournament. The regular season concludes next weekend.

Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. CST.