Feb. 1, 2007
DALLAS, Texas. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Senior guard Francine Houston (Bradenton, Fla./Southeast HS) scored 11 points and forward Keunta Miles (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./South Broward HS) added 10 as host SMU defeated UCF, 73-47, in Conference USA women's basketball action at Moody Coliseum on Thursday night.
Despite being held to 28.6% shooting from the field, the Mustangs (12-9, 4-5 C-USA) pulled away 12-2 on a three-pointer by freshman guard Gillian Samuels at 12:09. A lay-up by Miles sparked a 7-0 run for the Golden Knights, but junior guard Katy Cobb hit a three at 7:10 to bring SMU's offense back to life.
Although UCF (6-16, 1-8 C-USA) outscored the Mustangs in the final four minutes of the period, the hosts took a 36-18 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
Houston knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the opening minutes of the second period, but the Mustangs continued to build upon their lead.
With 10 minutes remaining to play, the Golden Knight defense held SMU without a field goal for nearly three and half minutes, while sophomore center Jackie Akers (Naples, Fla./North Fort Meyers HS) went on a personal 6-2 run.
UCF made another three-minute defensive stop as time ticked away, but was unable to surmount the first period deficit.
SMU capitalized on UCF's 17 fouls, shooting a perfect 19-for-19 from the charity stripe. The Golden Knights went 5-for-15 from the foul line. They also finished with a 45-41 advantage on the glass as Miles had a game-high nine rebounds, one short of recording her sixth double-double of the year.
Freshman guard Brittany Gilliam and junior center Janielle Dodds each scored a game-high 17 points for SMU.
The Golden Knights return home on Sunday, Feb. 4 for a 1 p.m. tip-off against Tulsa.
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.