SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle that came down to the final possession, the UCF Knights escaped with a 57-56 victory over the Rice Owls in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Friday at Coliseo de Puerto Rico.

The game, played before an announced crowd of 250, was a back-and-forth affair characterized by tenacious defense and pivotal scoring runs. UCF improved its season record to 6-2, while Rice fell to 5-3.

Leah Harmon, UCF’s 5-foot-6 guard from Paterson, New Jersey, was the offensive catalyst, pouring in a game-high 27 points. Her scoring prowess was essential for the Knights, who struggled at times to generate consistent offense against a physical Rice interior defense. Harmon’s performance included crucial free throws and timely three-pointers that helped UCF maintain a narrow lead throughout the contest.

The Knights built an early advantage, leading 26-22 at halftime after holding the Owls to just 10 points in the second quarter. The third quarter saw both offenses find a rhythm, with each team scoring 20 points, allowing UCF to carry a 46-42 lead into the final period.

Rice refused to go quietly. The Owls, led by center Shelby Hayes, mounted a sustained challenge in the fourth quarter. Hayes, a 6-foot-2 sophomore from Cedar Park, Texas, dominated the paint and finished with 17 points, including a critical three-pointer late in the game that brought the Owls within a single point.

UCF’s interior presence was answered by its own center, Khyala Ngodu. The 6-foot-3 junior from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, provided a vital secondary scoring option with 12 points, often capitalizing on offensive rebounds and feeds from the guards.

The game’s final minute was a frantic sequence of timeouts and key plays. With 13 seconds remaining, Hayes connected on a three-pointer off an assist from Hailey Adams, cutting UCF’s lead to 57-56.

Following a UCF timeout, the Knights attempted to inbound the ball, but Rice’s defensive pressure forced a turnover when Victoria Flores stole the ball from Jacorriah Bracey with just eight seconds on the clock.

Rice called a timeout to set up a final play. Out of the break, the ball found its way to Dominique Ennis, but her three-point attempt as time expired missed the mark, sealing the narrow victory for UCF.

Beyond the leading scorers, the game was shaped by defensive efforts and ball control. Both teams scored 26 points in the paint, but Rice held an 18-12 advantage in points off turnovers, a statistic that kept them within striking distance despite shooting struggles. UCF guard Jacorriah Bracey from Drew, Mississippi, facilitated the offense with a team-high four assists. For Rice, Ennis, a guard from Niagara Falls, Canada, contributed 14 points, while forward Aniah Alexis of Waller, Texas, added nine points and two assists in a team-high 38 minutes of play.

The victory gives UCF momentum as it returns home for its next contest against Stetson on Wednesday. Rice will look to rebound when it hosts Sam Houston on the same day.