Nov. 13, 2006
HAMMOND, La. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Senior forward Keunta Miles (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./South Broward HS) recorded her first career double-double with a game-high 19 points and 11 rebounds as the UCF women's basketball team dropped a 67-49 decision at Southeastern Louisiana in the University Center on Monday night.
Freshman guard Kristin Thomas (Orlando, Fla./Edgewater HS) nearly collected her own double-double with nine points and nine rebounds on the night.
"Keunta had fantastic game tonight and showed great leadership on both ends of the court," said head coach Gail Striegler. "Kristin also gave us a great effort and really I think our team as a whole played well tonight. We improved in a lot of areas and had a better overall performance than in our opener at Appalachian State. The score really wasn't indicative of how tight the game was played."
SLU (1-1) took an early 4-0 then Miles hit two baskets of her own to tie the game. The pattern continued as the two teams traded the lead throughout the first half. At 11:07, UCF (0-2) took a 12-11 advantage on a three-pointer by senior center Elizabeth Fieser (Norwich, Kan./Norwich HS) before sophomore forward Kristy Carlin answered with a trey that sparked a 9-1 Lions' run.
With hosts up 20-13, the Golden Knights staged a comeback that enabled them to tie the score at 20 all on a foul shot by senior guard Celeste Hudson (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Lyman HS). A successful free throw by junior guard Brooke Necaise gave SLU the 21-20 edge at intermission.
After tying the game at 26 early in the second half, UCF allowed the Lions to take control several times, only to close the gap with three-pointers by Hudson and senior guard Francine Houston (Bradenton, Fla./Southeast HS).
Miles played hero at 6:13, cutting Southeastern's advantage to 48-46, but SLU regained their momentum to finish the game.
UCF shot 35.8% from the field (19-for-53). Hudson contributed nine points, while Houston added eight. The Golden Knights owned a 40-30 margin on the glass, including an 18-7 margin in offensive rebounding.
The Lions hit 20-of-45 chances from the field (44.4%). Carlin scored a team-high 16 points and senior forward Jazmin Cain pulled down a game-high 11 boards.
The Golden Knights return home to host 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.