Dec. 31, 2006
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (www.ucfathletics.com) - A three-pointer by sophomore guard Kendra Reed at the buzzer lifted Southern Miss over UCF, 58-57, in Conference USA women's basketball action on Sunday afternoon at Reed Green Coliseum. The loss halted UCF's winning streak at four games.
Led by senior guard Francine Houston's (Bradenton, Fla./Southeast HS) team-high 16 points, the Golden Knights (5-9, 0-1 C-USA) were up by as much as 11 points in the second half, but the Golden Eagles (7-7, 1-0 C-USA) closed the gap as the clock ticked away. At 1:23, sophomore forward Emer Foley sank a jumper as Southern Miss went on a 6-0 run. The score was 57-55 in favor of UCF when Reed hit the three with four seconds remaining.
Senior forward Keunta Miles (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./South Broward HS) opened the game with back-to-back short jumpers for UCF before the host Golden Eagles tied the score. The two teams then traded baskets, keeping the advantage to no more than two.
With 9:42 remaining, Reed, who scored a game-high 24 points, hit a three-pointer followed by a jumper from junior center Liz Biland as Southern Miss pulled ahead, 15-10. The Golden Knights bounced back on a 13-4 run that included six unanswered points and took a 23-21 advantage into the break.
In the first half, both teams sank nine field goals and were perfect from the foul line. The Golden Knights had the extra opportunity at the charity stripe that gave them the extra two points on the scoreboard.
Houston went on a personal 7-0 run to start the second period and the Golden Knights extended their lead to 36-25 on a basket by sophomore center Jackie Akers (Naples, Fla./North Fort Myers HS) at 14:24.
The Golden Knights finished the game shooting 40.7% (22-for-54) from the floor, while the Golden Eagles hit 42.9% (21-for-49). The teams were tied at 33 rebounds apiece.
In addition to Houston's 16 points, Miles continued her hot streak with 10 points. Senior guard Celeste Hudson (Altamonte Springs, Fla./Lyman HS) had a game-high nine rebounds.
UCF remains on the road next weekend as the Golden Knights travel to Marshall for a 7 p.m. tipoff on Friday, Jan. 5 followed by a 2 p.m. match-up with East Carolina on Sunday, Jan. 7. Their next home contest is against UAB on Friday, Jan. 12 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.