Feb. 17, 2006
ORLANDO - Despite a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds from sophomore guard Amber Long, the UCF women's basketball team dropped a 74-65 second half decision to visiting Conference USA rival UAB at UCF Arena on Friday night. Junior guard Carmen Guzman also recorded a double-double for the Blazers, finishing the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Paced by Long's six points, the Golden Knights (5-19, 3-10 C-USA) opened the game strongly, and went up 10-5 at 16:16. Although the Blazers (14-10, 7-6) cut the advantage to five points on a foul shot by senior guard Deirdre Larry, the home team regained control and continued to build upon its lead. Junior Francine Houston knocked down consecutive three-point shots to put UCF up 30-16.
The two squads traded treys with just over five minutes to play in the half before UAB finished on a 12-8 run. The Golden Knights still took a 41-34 advantage into the intermission.
Both teams finished the first period with impressive shooting from the field. UCF, who also held a 17-10 margin on the boards, was 18-for-30 (60%), while UAB hit 12-of-24 (50%).
In direct opposite of the first half, neither team capitalized on their offensive chances in the opening minutes of the second period as Guzman hit the first basket at 15:25. A jumper by junior forward Keunta Miles at 14:21 sparked a run which culminated with a three-pointer by Long and gave the Golden Knights a 56-44 advantage at 10:10.
Coming alive on the offense, the Blazers went on a 16-3 run at the point and took their first lead of the game, 60-59, on a three-pointer by freshman guard Britney Jones at 5:13. UAB pulled away by a game-high 11 (73-62) on Jones' second foul shot with 33 seconds remaining.
After sinking 7-of-26 (26.9%) attempts from the field in the second half, UCF finished the night at 44.6% (25-of-56), while UAB hit a total of 46.4% (26-of-56). The Golden Knights held a slight 36-34 edge on the glass. The Blazers also knocked down 18-of-31 (58.1%) foul shots compared to UCF's 10-of-12 (83.3%).
The double-double was the first of Long's career and the third for Guzman. Jones posted a game-high 21 points, while Houston and Miles also contributed double figures to the losing effort with 16 and 12 points, respectively.
The Golden Knights return to action on Sunday for their home finale against Memphis. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. at UCF Arena.