Nov. 29, 2008
ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands (UCFAthletics.com) - Sophomore D'Nay Daniels scored 15 points Saturday, but Villanova (3-3) used a 13-0 spurt in the second half to down UCF (1-5) 68-50 in women's basketball action at the Paradise Jam at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports and Fitness Center.
UCF trailed by just one heading to the second half, and took a 39-36 lead on a three-pointer from sophomore Jelisa Caldwell (Macon, Ga.) with 13:32 to play.
However, by the time UCF scored again at the 9:02 mark, Villanova had scored 13 points and led 49-41. The run continued as the Wildcats led 66-43 with a layup by Laura Kurz with 4:42 to play. In the nearly nine minutes after the Caldwell three, UCF was outscored 25-4.
Kurz scored 12 of her 18 points in the second half to lead the Wildcats. Maria Getty had 15 points in the first half and finished with 17 for the game, and Lisa Karcic chipped in 14 off the bench.
The Knights led by six early in the first half as Villanova struggled to find its range from the outside. The Wildcats were just one for their first eight from long range, but knocked down four in a row and scored on five-straight possessions to move ahead 19-15.
UCF got 11 points from Daniels and trailed at the break 27-26. Villanova was 7-for-19 from three in the first half alone and finished 12-of-31 from long range.
Daniels, who was named to the all-tournament team, finished with 15 points to lead the Knights before fouling out. Sophomore Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) added 10 points and seven rebounds.
The Knights return to the states Sunday and will next play Wednesday, December 3, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., against Alabama at 7 p.m.
Season tickets for the UCF women's basketball program are currently on sale through the UCF ticket sales office. For more information about the arena's premium seating options, including club seats, group discounts, courtside tables and suites, contact the UCF ticket sales office at (407) UCF-1000 or visit the women's basketball ticket page at UCFAthletics.cstv.com/tickets/w-baskbl-tickets.html.
For the latest news on the Knights, log on to UCFAthletics.com - the official site for UCF varsity sports. The site, which also contains ticket and Golden Knights Club donor information, is also the home of UCF's new online apparel store. Also visit UCFPhotos.com, the exclusive fan source for UCF action sports pictures.
Notes
- The game was the first meeting between the two schools.
- Villanova was the sixth current Big East team the Knights has played all-time. UCF is 6-20 in 26 games against those programs.
- Daniels scored in double figures in all three tournament games.
- UCF was outrebounded for just the second time this season and first time at the Paradise Jam.
- The Knights connected on all three of their three-point attempts. UCF entered the game shooting just 18.4 percent from long distance.