Nov. 28, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Four Knights registered double-digits in points to lift the UCF women's basketball team to a 73-52 win over Bethune-Cookman Wednesday night at the new UCF Arena. D'Nay Daniels (Atlanta, Ga.) posted a career and game-high 17 points for the Black and Gold, while Tia Lewis (Poulan, Ga.) and Marshay White (Rochester, N.Y.) both scored 14 points apiece. Jelisa Caldwell added a career-high 12 points in the contest, including nine in the second half.
The Knights had every active player on its roster record minutes in the game, with nine of the 11 players tallying points on the scoreboard.
The Knights' defense held Bethune-Cookman to only 16 points in the first half, a season-low. For the game, UCF had a season-high 15 steals, contributing to 10 fast break points and 27 points off of turnovers for the Black and Gold.
"The difference in the game tonight was how well our defense played," head coach Joi Williams said. "We really picked up our defensive intensity and effort, so that gave us a chance to get some easy baskets in transition."
For the second-straight contest, UCF dominated the boards, grabbing a season-high 60 rebounds compared to Bethune-Cookman's 26. Their season-high 28 offensive rebounds led to 31 second chance points for the Knights, with Lewis grabbing eight offensive boards and a career-high 16 total rebounds, for her fifth double-double of the season.
The Black and Gold led 32-16 at the end of the opening period and only built on their lead in the second half. A layup by White put the Knights on top by 22 with eight minutes remaining in the game, before a free throw by Lewis gave them a 59-36 advantage, their biggest lead of the night.
The Wildcats pulled to within 14 points at the four-minute mark, but four-consecutive free throws and a three-pointer by Caldwell capped off a 10-1 run by the Knights and gave them back their 23-point lead with three minutes to go.
UCF's next contest takes them on the road for an in-state match-up with Miami Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for Noon.
For the latest news and information on the Knights, tickets or apparel log on to www.ucfathletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. Also check out UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pics.
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