Feb. 18, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.ucfathletics.com) - The UCF women's basketball team has been competitive in each of its 12 Conference USA games this season and it has done so by regularly playing nine freshmen. According to the league's freshmen only statistics, released Monday by the conference office, UCF rookies are at the top of the list in nearly every statistical category.
The top three freshmen scorers and top two freshmen rebounders in Conference USA are UCF players. Forward /center Tia Lewis (Poulan, Ga.) is the only first-year player in the league to average a double-double, as she is C-USA's top freshman scorer and rebounder with 12.3 points per game and 11.6 rebounds per game. Forward Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) is second among freshmen in both categories with 11.4 ppg and 8.9 rpg. Guard Marshay White (Rochester, N.Y.) ranks third among rookies in scoring with 11.3 ppg and first in assists with 3.36 dishes per game.
"We're excited about the future of this program," UCF head coach Joi Williams said. "These young players have gotten so much game experience. As a staff, we talk about how a lot of the league's veteran players are going to be leaving. I'm sure other teams have recruited well and are going to replace those players, but now our players are going to have experience over the freshmen coming in. I think that, after people have played us, they recognize that we do have talent and we're going to be here for years to come."
A complete breakdown of UCF players among Conference USA's freshmen only statistics is below:
Conference USA Freshmen Only Statistics
Scoring
1. Tia Lewis (12.3 ppg)
2. Emma Cannon (11.4 ppg)
3. Marshay White (11.3 ppg)
Rebounding
1. Tia Lewis (11.6)
2. Emma Cannon (8.9)
Field Goal Percentage
3. Tia Lewis (.536)
4. Emma Cannon (.523)
Steals
3. Angelica Mealing (1.33)
5. Emma Cannon (1.24)
6. Tia Lewis (1.20)
Blocks
4. Emma Cannon (0.76)
Assists
1. Marshay White (3.36)
3. Angelica Mealing (2.58)
Knights Face First Ranked Foe Since 2006
When UCF takes the court on Sunday vs. UTEP, the Knights will be facing their first ranked foe since meeting No. 25 Florida State on Dec. 9, 2006.
According to the Associated Press poll, released Monday afternoon, UTEP checks in at No. 19 in this week's rankings. The Miners broke into the AP poll for the first time in school history last week when they were ranked No. 24. UTEP is on a 17-game winning streak, which is tied for the best in the nation.
Sunday's Game Part of Alumni Day
Sunday's game vs. No. 19 UTEP will take place in conjunction with the UCF Women's Basketball Alumni Day. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.
This inaugural event centers on the new arena and the Knights' key league with Conference USA-leading UTEP. As the Knights focus on a bright future under first-year head coach Joi Williams, they look forward to the opportunity to recognize all former basketball letterwinners for their accomplishments and building the foundation for future success.
The event kicks off with a welcome-back celebration in the party suites of the New UCF Arena at 1:30 p.m. Food and drinks will be served and the event is open to all basketball letterwinners and one guest. UCF's game with UTEP tips off at 2 p.m. EST and each basketball letterwinner will receive two tickets to the game. All UCF basketball letterwinners in attendance will be introduced at halftime.
Following the game, former players will take the court in the Black & Gold Alumni Game, scheduled to commence at 4:30 p.m.
UCF currently has contact information for many UCF letterwinners, but do not have information on each and every former Knight. Please help us in informing your former teammates about this exciting weekend and encourage them to contact Misty Knight at mknight@athletics.ucf.edu or (407) 882-1289 and provide their updated contact information.