Lady Camels nipped by Central Florida, 62-60

by Dunn Area Sports Staff | Nov 16, 2022 | Campbell, News & Features

Campbell unveiled its latest Big South banner on Tuesday night.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

BUIES CREEK — Central Florida held on for a 62-60 nonconference women’s basketball win over Campbell on Tuesday night at Gore Arena.

Laila Jewett had 12 points and six assists for UCF (2-0), which is receiving votes in the Associated Press poll this season.

Christabel Ezumah posted career-highs with 20 points and nine rebounds for Campbell (2-1), while Brittany Staves added 14 points.

The Knights led 20-16 after the first quarter and held a seven-point lead with 1:50 to go in the second quarter before a 6-0 Campbell run cut the UCF lead to 35-34 at halftime.

UCF led by as many as 10 in the third quarter as Sierra Godbolt converted a three-point play to make it 53-43. Back-to-back threes from Staves and Shy Tuelle knotted the game at 57 with 5:17 remaining in the final period.

Destiny Thomas made a second-chance layup and Mya Burns made two free throws to give UCF some breathing room, but a basket and free throw from Ezumah made it 61-60 with 43 seconds to play.

Taylor Gibson missed two free throws with 19.3 seconds left and Campbell had a chance to win the game, but a jump ball with 1.4 left on the clock gave possession back to the Knights.

Gibson finished with 10 points and five boards, while Godbolt had nine points, including seven in the second half.

Campbell shot 39.6 percent (21-53) from the field, 38.9 percent (7-18) from behind the arc and converted 11-of-16 free throws. UCF finished 22-of-57 (38.6 percent) from the floor, 4-of-12 (33.3 percent) on threes and 14-of-22 (63.6 percent) on free throws.

UCF, which is set to join the Big 12 Conference in 2023, scored 30 points off 26 Campbell turnovers. The Camels held a 41-31 advantage on the boards and a narrow 10-8 edge on second-chance points.

Tuelle finished with 13 points and six rebounds while Svenia Nurenburg came off the bench to score five points and haul in eight boards.

Prior to the game Campbell celebrated its 2021-22 Big South regular season championship with a banner unveiling and ring ceremony.

CU returns to action Saturday when it hosts South Carolina State at 2 p.m.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)