Preview: UCF Knights at Baylor Lady Bears

WACO, Texas (Interstat) — The surging Baylor Lady Bears look to extend their seven-game winning streak when they host the UCF Knights in a Big 12 Conference women’s basketball matchup Wednesday night at the Ferrell Center.

Baylor (17-3, 6-1 Big 12) has been dominant in conference play, with its lone league loss coming at home to Texas Tech last month. The Lady Bears are coming off a 69-58 road victory at BYU on Saturday, powered by another standout performance from star guard Taliah Scott. The sophomore is averaging 20.0 points per game and has scored 20 or more points in four of her last six outings, including a 25-point, five-assist effort against the Cougars.

UCF (10-8, 1-4) arrives in Waco seeking consistency after a mixed start to its conference schedule. The Knights snapped a four-game skid with a 74-68 home win over Colorado on Sunday. Guard Summer Yancy led the way with a season-high 25 points, adding six rebounds and three assists in 33 minutes. Yancy’s scoring punch will be vital for the Knights, who have struggled offensively in several league losses.

The matchup pits one of the conference’s top offenses against a UCF team searching for road traction. Baylor has averaged 70.2 points during its winning streak, while UCF is 1-4 in true road games this season, with its only win coming at Arizona on Jan. 10.

Baylor’s defense, allowing just 58.9 points per game, will aim to contain Yancy and force others to score. UCF will need to find an answer for Scott and a balanced Baylor attack that features contributors like Bella Fontleroy (12 points vs. BYU) and Jana Van Gytenbeek.

This is the first of two regular-season meetings between the new conference foes. They will meet again in Orlando on Feb. 15.

For Baylor, a win maintains pressure atop the Big 12 standings. For UCF, it represents a prime opportunity for a season-defining road upset against a ranked opponent.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST Wednesday.