Feb. 10, 2006
ORLANDO - Sophomore center Janielle Dodds and sophomore guard Sharee Shepher each sank a game-high 16 points to lead SMU to a 69-57 win over host UCF in Conference USA women's basketball action at UCF Arena Friday night.
Despite the loss, UCF senior Shelby Weber recorded her seventh career double-double with 15 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
SMU (13-10, 8-3 C-USA) opened with a jumper on its first possession and went up 5-1 before Weber hit the Golden Knights' (5-18, 3-9 C-USA) first bucket at 16:54. The two teams exchanged baskets until a three-pointer by junior forward Katie Gross (13 points) allowed the Mustangs to grab a five-point lead two minutes later.
Even as UCF tried to battle back, another three-pointer - this time by Shepherd - extended SMU's lead to 21-15 at 8:43. The Mustangs then took nine-point lead on a three-point play by sophomore guard Katy Cobb (12 points) with 3:41 left to play in the half.
The Golden Knights finished strongly and cut the gap to 29-34 at the half. UCF shot 44.4% (12-for-27) from the field, while SMU hit 42.9% (15-for-35). The difference came from behind the arc, where the Mustangs knocked down three shots to the Knights' one.
In the second period, the visitors found some early offense to pull away 38-29, but the Golden Knights countered with six unanswered points. Despite another trey by Gross at 15:42, UCF continued to pressure on both sides on the ball and cut SMU's advantage to 43-41 with 13:47 remaining to play.
Sparked by Shepherd's three-point play at 11:21, the Mustangs were able to regain their momentum and led by as much as 13 down the stretch.
Although SMU only held a slight edge in shooting from the floor with 46.2% to UCF's 45.3%, the visitors boasted a well-balanced offense with four players in double figures on the scoreboard. The Mustangs also finished the night hitting seven three-pointers compared to three for the Golden Knights, who owned a 34-30 edge on the boards.
In addition to Weber, sophomore guard Amber Long contributed 11 points for UCF.
The Golden Knights return to action on Feb. 17 when they host UAB for a 7 p.m. tip-off at UCF Arena.