Nov. 23, 2006
Junkanoo Jam Game Notes in PDF Format
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FREEPORT, Bahamas (www.ucfathletics.com) -The UCF women's basketball traveled to the Bahamas for the Thanksgiving holiday, where the Golden Knights compete in the Junkanoo Jam Tournament on Friday and Saturday. In addition to seeing some tough competition on the court, they have also scheduled some downtime to enjoy Grand Bahama Island.
Due to flight delays both in Orlando, Fla. and in Nassau, the Golden Knights arrived at Our Lucaya Resort in Freeport, Bahamas late Wednesday night and were unable to take advantage of their 9 p.m. practice time. Instead, the players and coaches enjoyed a late dinner. Some of the Knights also sampled freshly made conch salad for the first time. Junior Lashaunda Slade (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./S. Broward HS) was the biggest fan of the dish asking head coach Gail Striegler's permission to purchase another before she had even finished her dinner.
On Thanksgiving morning, the team boarded a snorkeling cruise. Although some players took longer to acclimate themselves to the 80-degree water, those that took the plunge enjoyed themselves and took photos of the many colorful fish that swam around them. Freshman Randall Hurst (West Bloomfield, Mich./West Bloomfield HS) joined injured junior Amber Long (Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork HS) in feeding the fish - and the seagulls - from the boat.
Later in the afternoon, UCF joins the other seven tournament teams, including Baylor, South Dakota State and Virginia, at a Thanksgiving Banquet on the lawn of the resort's Manor House.
The Golden Knights open up against No. 15 Baylor on Friday at 3:30 p.m. then meet either Virginia or South Dakota State on Saturday, Nov. 25. The Bears, who won the national championship in 2005, outlasted No. 9 LSU, 64-60, on Tuesday night as both Bernice Mosby (21 points, 17 rebounds) and Danielle Wilson (11 points, 10 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles in the win. Mosby currently sits atop the Baylor stat sheet with 22 points and 13.7 boards per game.
UCF and Baylor have met once previously with the Bears earning a 110-67 victory in the 1992-93 season.
South Dakota State brings a perfect 3-0 record to the Bahamas after defeating No. 19 USC (67-63) and Southwest Minnesota State (85-51) last weekend. Senior guard Megan Vogel leads all Jackrabbits players as she is averaging 21.7 points and six rebounds per contest.
After starting the season with three straight wins, Virginia dropped a 75-71 decision to Liberty on Monday night. Junior guard Sharnee Zoll put up 20 points and grabbed six rebounds, while senior center Siedah Williams contributed 17 points in the loss. UVa has four players - including Zoll (13.5 ppg) and Williams (13.0 ppg) - averaging double figures in scoring. Atop the list is sophomore forward Lyndra Littles with a team-high 14.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.
For more information on the Junaknoo Jam, click here.
UCF's next home game is against Georgia Southern on Friday, Dec. 1 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.