Feb. 11, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Senior guard Francine Houston (Bradenton, Fla./Southeast HS) scored a team-high 14 points as the UCF women's basketball team dropped a 75-57 decision to Conference USA foe Rice on Sunday afternoon at UCF Arena.
Houston was one of three Golden Knights (8-17, 3-9 C-USA) to scored in double digits as both senior forward Keunta Miles (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./South Broward HS) and junior guard Amber Long (Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork HS) each contributed 11.
After allowing the Owls (15-10, 8-4 C-USA) to go up 6-2 to open the game, the Golden Knights kept the visitors without a field goal for six minutes and took control on a 16-2 run. Freshman guard Tara Watts hit a jumper to spark Rice's offense, which then scored eight unanswered points.
The Owls eventually pulled within one point at 6:51 then regained the lead, 29-28, on a jumper by junior forward Tiffany Loggins three minutes later. The Owls remained on top 36-32 at intermission despite the Golden Knights shooting 51.7% from the floor.
The visitors continued to hold onto the advantage in the second half. The Golden Knights cut the margin to 47-43 on a lay-up from Houston at 12:47, but were unable to take over the lead.
UCF finished the game shooting 42.4% from the floor, while Rice hit 44.3%. Four Owls scored double figures. Senior forward Lauren Neaves scored a game-high 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while Loggins added 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Golden Knights travel to UAB on Thursday, Feb. 15 for an 8 p.m. tip-off against the Blazers. 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.