Dec. 17, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Fresh off a comeback 75-71 victory at Jacksonville on Monday, UCF finally returns to UCF Arena on Thursday to play its first home game in nearly one month, hosting Miami at 7 p.m. in the first of back-to-back-to-back home games on consecutive days. Of the team's first nine games, only two have been played at home, with the last coming Nov. 22 against Florida Atlantic.
Knights' fans unable to make it to the game can listen to a live audio internet broadcast beginning at approximately 6:40 p.m. The audio broadcast, through Stretch Audio Internet, can be heard free of charge at http://ucfathletics.cstv.com/multimedia/ucf-wbb-stretch-sched.html. Fans can also access a live video stream via Knights' All-Access.
Miami is the fifth of six teams from Florida UCF will face this season and the first of three opponents from the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Knights have already played five games against teams from the Big 12, Big Ten, Big East and Southeastern Conference.
UCF's win at Jacksonville ended a six-game slide for the Knights, and the team got a huge boost from the debut of sophomore Amber Kirkpatrick, who scored eight points and grabbed five rebounds in her first game with the Knights after transferring from Eastern Kentucky. UCF used a 13-0 run to rally from 10 points down in the second half.
Miami, just 9-22 a season ago, has gotten off to a fast start with six wins in its first nine games. In their last game, the Hurricanes defeated Binghamton 72-37 on Saturday in a game which saw 10 Miami players score. The game will be UM's first away from home since Nov. 25.
KNIGHTS NOTES
? LAST TIME OUT: UCF ended a six-game slide with a 75-71 victory at Jacksonville Monday. Chelsie Wiley scored 14 points and Emma Cannon registered her fifth double double with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
? THE SERIES: Miami holds a 10-3 edge in the all-time series with UCF. In the last meeting, on Dec. 2, 2007, the Hurricanes won 64-56. UCF's last win came in the series was Jan. 24, 1983.
? UCF VS. THE SUNSHINE STATE: In the history of the program, UCF has played 354 games against 25 schools from the state of Florida. In those games, the Knights have a 191-165 all-time record. UCF is 2-2 this season against the Sunshine State, defeating both Florida A&M and Jacksonville and falling to Florida Atlantic and Florida Gulf Coast. Six of the team's 13 non-conference games this season are against teams from Florida.
? HOME AT LAST: The Knights are returning home after 26 days away from UCF Arena, the longest stretch between home contests in terms of game since the same span in 2002-03. The team's last home game was Nov. 22 against Florida A&M. The six-game stretch between home games is the program's longest since an eight-game road trip in 1988-89.
? FINISHING TOUCH: UCF has led five-straight games at some point during the second half, and with a 50-point outburst in the second half against Jacksonville, the Knights pulled out their first win during that stretch.
? UCF VS. THE ACC: UCF is 7-28 all-time against the Atlantic Coast Conference teams. In the program's history, UCF has played six of the 12 current ACC teams. The Knights will look to end a 20-game losing streak, dating back to Jan. 18, 1986 when they beat Florida State, 98-90. UCF plays Florida State and Wake Forest this month as well.
? COMEBACK KIDS: In both of UCF's victories this season, the Knights have come back from a significant deficit in the second half. The Knights used a 13-0 run to rally from 10 points down Monday at Jacksonville, and also trailed Florida Atlantic by 10 in the second half.
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. #UCF#