Dec. 16, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF women's basketball team had lost six-straight games heading into Monday night's game at Jacksonville, and trailing by 10 points midway through the second half seemed to be heading towards a seventh. However, on the strength of strong play from newcomer Amber Kirkpatrick (Lawrenceville, Ga.) and a game-winning three-pointer from Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.), the Knights rallied for the 75-71 victory.
Kirkpatrick gave a spark to the Knights' team in her debut in a UCF uniform, earning the start at power forward and playing a game-high 33 minutes. The sophomore transfer from Eastern Kentucky had eight points, five rebounds, three blocks, two steals and also drew two charges. Kirkpatrick also knocked down a pair of second-half threes during the UCF run.
"We are excited about her return to the court," said head coach Joi Williams. "She has come a long way making strides in practice since coming midway through last year. She is a very versatile post who is a good rebounder, is good defensively and also can face the basket and hit shots. She brings that perimeter threat as a post and that can be tough to defend. She also brings leadership because she is an experienced player."
Williams knows Kirkpatrick's game as well as anyone. Not only has the UCF head coach seen her in Knights' practices and workouts over the past year, she was also on the opposing sidelines the last time Kirkpatrick played in a college basketball game.
In Williams' last season as head coach at Murray State, her Racers' team knocked Kirkpatrick's EKU team out of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament with a 68-66 win in the semifinals. Kirkpatrick scored eight points and grabbed 15 rebounds in that Feb. 27, 2007 game, the last she had played until Monday night's win.
BACK HOME AGAIN
UCF hosts three consecutive home games this week, beginning with Miami on Thursday at Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. Twenty-six days will have passed since the team's last home game. The Knights are 1-1 in UCF Arena this season, and also host Wake Forest Friday at 7 p.m. and Ole Miss Sunday at 5 p.m.
RESERVE ROLE
Wiley teamed with freshman Aisha Patrick (Rockledge, Fla.) to score a combined 26 points off the Knights' bench Monday night. Patrick came off the bench for the first time and scored all 12 points of her points in the second half, including an 8-for-9 showing from the foul line.
CLEANING UP
Sophomore Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) has been tremendous on the glass this season, averaging 10.2 rebounds per game to rank fourth in C-USA. Foul trouble has limited Cannon's minutes of late, and in the past three outings the Rochester, N.Y., native has ripped down 31 rebounds in just 64 minutes. She has been especially prolific on the offensive glass, with 48 of her 92 total rebounds coming on that end of the floor. Cannon's 5.3 offensive rebounds per game lead the league and have helped her to a team-high 13.2 points per game. As a team, UCF had 25 offensive rebounds against Jacksonville.
COMEBACK KIDS
In both of its wins, UCF has trailed by as many as 10 points midway through the second half. Monday, the Knights trailed 54-44 with 10:17 remaining before ripping off a 13-0 run to claim the lead late. UCF had led in the previous four games in the second half before losing.
DOUBLE YOUR FUN
UCF placed five players in double figures at Jacksonville, led by Wiley's 14 points. It was the first time the team had players in double figures since six accomplished the feat against Tulane on Feb. 22, 2008. Through nine games this season, eight different UCF players have scored in double figures on at least one occasion. Cannon has accomplished the feat eight different times and Marshay White (Rochester, N.Y.) is second on the team with five double-figure outings.
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.