Jan. 15, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - Freshman UCF forward/center Tia Lewis (Poulan, Ga.) ranks second in the nation in rebounding, according to the latest national statistics released by the NCAA office in Indianapolis, Ind., on Tuesday. Lewis also ranks 16th nationally in field-goal percentage and is the only Conference USA player to rank in the top 16 of two national statistical categories.
Lewis averages 12.3 rebounds per game this season and is one of only three players in Conference USA to average double-figure boards. She has recorded double-figure rebounds in 13 of the team's 16 games this season, including six consecutive contests and 11 of her last 12. Lewis has been the team's leading rebounder in 11 games this year.
Lewis, who is the league's leading rebounder, is the only C-USA freshman to rank in the conference's top 10 in both scoring and rebounding. She averages a squad-best 13.4 ppg as one of four Knights who average in double-figure scoring.
Lewis, who is Conference USA's leader in field-goal percentage with a .580 (91-of-157) clip from the floor, joins Southern Miss' Pauline Love as one of only two C-USA players to rank in the league's top 10 in scoring, rebounding and field-goal percentage.
Lewis has notched 11 double-doubles on the season for UCF, including a double-dip in each of the team's three conference games this year.
Oklahoma's Courtney Paris, the 2007-08 preseason Big 12 Player of the Year who holds an NCAA Record with 72 double-doubles, is currently leading the nation with 16.4 rebounds per game.
Numbers Way Up From A Year Ago
The UCF women's basketball team's numbers are way up from year ago, which is making a difference in the win column for the Knights. Through 16 games this year, the Knights have increased their scoring by 11.7 points per game and their rebounding by 6.0 boards per game. The rebound margin has improved by nearly 10 boards per game. A statistical comparison of last season and this season - through 16 games - is below.
Statistic 2006-07 (through 16) 2007-08 (through 16) DifferenceWins 5 7 +2Points Per Game 56.4 68.1 +11.7Rebounds Per Game 37.9 43.9 +6.0Rebounding Margin 0.0 +9.3 +9.3Shooting Percentage .369 .423 +.054Free-Throw Percentage .590 .631 +.041Three-Pointers Made 57 59 +2
Lewis, Cannon Causing Double Trouble For UCF Opponents
Freshman forward Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) and Lewis have been prolific this season at racking up double-doubles. Lewis is tied for the lead in Conference USA with 11 double-doubles while Cannon is fourth in the league with seven double-dips. UCF leads all schools in the league with 18 total double-doubles on the year.
Conference USA 2007-08 Double-Double Leaders
Rank Player (School) Double-DoublesT1. Tia Lewis (UCF) 11T1. Pauline Love (USM) 113. Larissa Williams (Tulsa) 84. Emma Cannon (UCF) 75. Valeriya Berezhynska (Rice) 5="https://ucfknights.com/http:%3E%3C/ahref="http:>
D-E-E--EFENSE
One of the main reasons that Coach Joi Williams' team has been successful this season is the fact that the Knights have turned up the defensive intensity this year. UCF has held 15 of its 16 opponents this season to 50-percent shooting or less. The Knights have held nine opponents to under 40 percent shooting this year and have limited four of their last five opponents to 45-percent shooting or less.
Ahead This Week
UCF faces a pair of opponents from the Lone Star State as the Knights return from a two-game road swing to play host to Houston at the New UCF Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST and the game will be carried live on UCFathletics.com with Scott Adams. UCF then hits the road to face Rice on Sunday at 3 p.m. in Houston.
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 pictures.