Dec. 22, 2008
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Through six games this season, sophomore Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) was averaging less than seven points a game and had yet to knock down a three-pointer. After knocking down 17 shots from long range in the six games since, including a school-record 8-for-9 Saturday against Ole Miss, it is safe to say that things have changed with the 5-foot-7 Wiley.
"I felt like I was having a good night so I just put the ball towards the rim and shot it with confidence," said Wiley of her performance Saturday. "My teammates are finding me and giving me the ball, and I am just doing what coach wants me to do."
Wiley's record performance in the game against Ole Miss lifted her to a career-high 31 points, the first UCF player to score 30-plus points since Marvelous Washington tallied 31 against Belmont on Feb. 2, 2002. The eight threes made tied the school record set twice previously by Francine Houston in 2002. The 8-for-9 outing broke Houston's previous mark (8-10) for three-point percentage.
With the outburst, the sophomore raised her scoring average to 11.1 points per game. Having knocked 17 of her last 28 threes, Wiley is now shooting 51.5 percent from long range, good for second in Conference USA.
The Ole Miss game was not Wiley's only strong performance of the week. The redshirt sophomore also knocked down the game-winning shot Monday at Jacksonville, scored a then career-high 20 points against Miami on Thursday and finished in double figures in each of the four games, averaging 19.3 per outing.
"Chelsie (Wiley) was a huge bright spot," said head coach Joi Williams. "I thought she played consistently all week. She had a great effort on both sides of the floor. I get into her pretty good sometimes at practice, but she is someone that can take that coaching and really go out and do what you ask her to do.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE MACHINE
UCF sophomore Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) posted two more double-doubles last week to give her six on the season. Against wake Forest on Friday night, Cannon had 18 points and 16 rebounds, the second time this season she has posted at least 15 points and 15 rebounds.
TRIFECTAS
Led by Wiley, UCF has caught fire from three-point range. After hitting just 22 threes through the first 10 games, the Knights drained 16 combined against Wake Forest and Ole Miss. The team has vaulted from the bottom of the C-USA standings to third in three-point percentage, hitting 35.2 percent.
TEXAS-SIZED PRODUCTION
Freshman Ashia Kelly (Kilgore, Texas) entered Friday's game against Wake Forest having scored just six points all season. She entered the game after halftime and helped UCF rally to force overtime. Kelly tallied 10 points after the break on 2-for-3 shooting and 5-of-6 from the line.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
There is no denying that UCF has played a difficult schedule this season. The Knights are nearing the end of a 13-game non-conference schedule that includes three teams from the ACC, two teams from the Big 12, two more from the SEC and one from the Big East. The team concludes the difficult stretch at Florida State on Dec. 31 before turning its attention to the conference home opener against Southern Miss at 2 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.