Nov. 18, 2006
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Freshman forward Kristin Thomas recorded her first career double-double as the UCF women's basketball team earned a 59-51 win over Albany in the consolation game of the UCF Golden Knights Tournament at UCF Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Thomas posted 15 points and a game-high 10 rebounds, while senior forward Keunta Miles (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./S. Broward HS) contributed a career-high 23 points and nine boards.
"Keunta and Kristin were a real force for us inside, rebounding and putting up the points," said UCF head coach Gail Striegler. "The guards did a great job getting them the ball."
The two teams played tight in the opening four minutes until junior forward Gia Sanders' jumper at 16:20 sparked a 6-0 run by the Great Danes. With just under seven minutes left to play in the period, UCF senior Francine Houston (Bradenton, Fla./Southeast HS) tied the game at 17 all after hitting two free throws.
Albany regained the momentum in the final five minutes of the half and took a 25-21 advantage into the intermission.
A basket by Miles a minute and a half into the second half brought the Golden Knights within a point of tying the game at 27-26. She completed a three-point play at 14:16 then made a layup on a fast break 15 seconds later as UCF regained the lead at 33-32.
Miles' seven points in two minutes gave the Golden Knights' offense the spark it needed as they didn't relinquish the lead down the stretch. UCF went up by a game-high 10 points for the first time on a shot by Miles with 3:50 remaining.
The Golden Knights finished the afternoon shooting 23-for-64 (35.9%) from the floor, while Albany hit 20-for-45 (44.4%). UCF also owned a 41-31 advantage on the glass.
"Overall, it was a good team win," said Striegler. "It was the little things. We showed a lot of character and heart, particularly in the second half."
Amanda Ward scored a team-high 15 points for the Great Danes and Kristin Higy contributed 14 points to the loss.
The Golden Knights return to action at Jacksonville on Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. before traveling to the Bahamas for the Junkanoo Jam Tournament from Nov. 24-25. UCF's next home contest is against Georgia Southern on Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. 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.