Dec. 11, 2005
TROY, Ala. - Junior forward Valensia Hairston recorded a double-double with 20 points and 14 rebounds as Troy dropped UCF, 59-55, in women's basketball action at Trojan Arena on Sunday afternoon.
The two squads went scoreless for the opening four minutes of the game before sophomore guard Amy Lewis scored two successive baskets to begin a 13-0 run for the Lady Trojans (4-1). Junior guard Francine Houston put up UCF's first points on a two free throws at 8:41 and senior LaShay King hit the team's first field goal 17 seconds later.
The Golden Knights (1-6) were down 20-6 at 5:41 when senior guard Shayla Smith sank a three-pointer that gave the team some momentum. Another trey by Houston and a three-point play by freshman forward Jackie Akers cut the deficit to 28-22 with less than two minutes remaining in the half. Smith put up another three and King's buzzer-beating jumper left Troy with a 28-27 advantage at intermission.
The two teams both finished the first 20 minutes shooting 9-for-29 (31%) from the field, but the Lady Trojans held a 26-16 favor on the boards.
In the second half, Troy pulled out with five unanswered points before Houston countered with a five of her own. A three-pointer by Smith at 16:46 gave UCF its first lead of the afternoon at 35-33. The score was quickly tied at 37 all, but Smith sank a jumper and added her fourth trey to go on a personal 5-0 run.
The Lady Trojans continued to fight back and regained the advantage, 47-46, on a short jumper by Lewis with 7:22 remaining to play. The score stayed close down the stretch as possession exchanged hands five times before Troy went on a 6-0 run.
Despite the efforts of Smith and King in the final minute of play, the Lady Trojans sealed the game with four foul shots.
Troy finished the afternoon shooting 19-for-52 (36.5%) from the field, while UCF was 21-for-62 (33.9%). The host also had a 46-34 advantage in rebounding.
Smith had a team-high 18 points, while Houston added 14 for the Golden Knights. Smith and King each posted a team-high six rebounds.
The game capped off a five-game road swing for UCF. The Golden Knights return to action when they host Central Michigan in the opening round of the UCF Holiday Classic on Dec. 16 at 5 p.m. The tournament also features Troy and UT-Arlington.