Nov. 9, 2006
Women's Basketball Notes in PDF Format
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ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF women's basketball team opens the 2006-07 season in Boone, N.C. for a 2 p.m. tipoff against Appalachian State on Saturday, Nov. 11. The Golden Knights wrap up the road trip in Hammond, La. when they take on Southeastern Louisiana Monday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
Since Gail Striegler took the helm in 1999, the Golden Knights are 5-2 in season openers and have won their last two games on opening night. Last year, they debuted with a 62-54 victory over in-state rival Florida A&M. With 98 wins to her credit as a head coach, Striegler is looking for the 100th victory of her career and could eclipse the century mark with a pair of wins this weekend.
When the Golden Knights hit the floor on Saturday afternoon, they will be welcoming back senior Celeste Hudson (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Lyman HS) and junior Lashaunda Slade (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./S. Broward HS) to the lineup. Both players redshirted last season, the squad's first in Conference USA, due to injury. Hudson was the Atlantic Sun Defensive Player of the Year in 2004-05, while Slade was the starting point guard that same season.
Appalachian State returns seven players and only one starter from a team that went 15-13 and finished fourth in the Southern Conference a year ago. Losing 73% of her offense, fifth-year head coach Adrienne Shuler brought in five newcomers, including two junior college transfers. Two of those newcomers led the Mountaineers to a 54-45 win over Belmont Abbey in an exhibition game this week. Junior Maria Grimes recorded 17 points, while freshman GiGi Thomas contributed 12.
The Golden Knights and Mountaineers have met twice prior to Saturday night's contest and have each earned a victory. The most recent meeting occurred during the 2000-01 season and resulted in an 89-83 UCF win.
Despite posting an overall record of 11-16 and an 8-9 mark in conference play, Southeastern Louisiana was picked to win the Southland Conference's East Division in the preseason poll. One of the reasons for that positive vote is that they return 10 players, including four starters. Senior Brenita Williams was named to the preseason all-conference first team after recording a team high 11 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last year.
Monday's game marks the 15th time that the Golden Knights and Lions have competed on the court. All but two of those 14 previous meetings occurred when the two schools were members of the Trans America Athletic Conference (now the Atlantic Sun) from 1992 until 1997. The series is tied at 7-7 with UCF owning a three-game winning streak, including a 61-55 victory in 1996-97.
The Golden Knights' first home game is against Fairleigh Dickinson on Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the UCF Arena. Tickets for home contests are available by calling (407) UCF-1000.
For the latest news and information on the Golden Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF athletics.