Nov. 9, 2007
Orlando, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) and Tia Lewis (Poulan, Ga.) both posted double-doubles, despite the UCF women's basketball team falling to Big 12 powerhouse Texas Tech, 72-57, in the Knights' first contest at the new UCF Arena on Friday night. Cannon totaled 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Lewis registered team-highs with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Knights started four freshmen and a redshirt freshman in the game, with the rookie class logging nearly all the minutes for the Black and Gold.
"I am very proud of how we came out and played in the first half," head coach Joi Williams said. "Our team took our game plan and really executed in that half. Our intensity in the second half did not match the intensity we came out with in the first, but that is part of the lesson we need to learn as a young team."
The contest served as Williams' first regular-season game as the Knights' mentor. She was hired as UCF's head coach in the spring.
Lewis came close to putting up a double-double in the first half, scoring 12 points and grabbing nine rebounds, while playing all 20 minutes. UCF led 33-26 at the break.
As a team, UCF shot 44.8% from the floor (13-for-29) in the opening period, while the Lady Raiders shot 24.1%. The Knights also won the war on the glass, out-rebounding Texas Tech 24-17.
The second half was a different story for UCF, as Texas Tech opened the final period with a 17-4 run. The Knights shot only 31% in the half compared to the Lady Raiders' 52.9%.
Texas Tech was led by Jordan Murphree's 17 points and five assists. The sophomore was 3-for-4 from three-point range and scored 12 points in the second half. Dominic Seals added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Lady Raiders, for her first double-double of the season.
The Knights continue play in the UCF Knights Classic Sunday when they take on Coppin State at 4:30 p.m. at the new UCF Arena. The meeting marks the first between the two teams. The Eagles are 0-1 after falling to Northeastern earlier in the day, 69-65.
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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