Dec. 3, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (UCFAthletics.com) - Despite leading at the break and getting 10 points and nine rebounds from freshman Aisha Patrick (Rockledge, Fla.), visiting UCF (1-6) fell at Alabama (5-2) 67-53 Wednesday evening at Coleman Coliseum in non-conference women's basketball game.
Early in the second half, a Patrick jumper gave the Knights a 29-28 lead with 16:13 remaining, but Alabama went on an 8-1 run and never trailed again.
Playing a game-high 36 minutes, Patrick added four assists and four steals to her 10 points and nine rebounds.
Sophomore Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) battled foul trouble throughout the game and was limited to just 18 minutes. Cannon had three fouls in five second-half minutes alone to foul out. She finished with two points and eight rebounds.
The third three-pointer of the second half from sophomore Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) cut the Crimson Tide lead with 7:35 remaining, but the Knights would not score again until the 4:08 mark after 12 points from the hosts made it 59-44. UCF could get no closer than eight the rest of the way.
Wiley came into the game hitting just 0-for-5 from long range, but knocked down three consecutive games
An early 8-4 lead by UCF was the biggest lead of a back-and-forth first half. UCF led 14-12 when Cannon picked up her second foul of the opening half and went to the bench for the remainder of the half.
The Crimson Tide led 21-18 with seven minutes left before UCF ripped off a 6-0 run capped by a pair of Patrick free throws as the Knights went into the break ahead 25-24.
Both teams struggled from the field in the opening half, as UCF went 11-for-36 for 30.6 percent and Alabama went 8-for-34, just 23.5 percent. The Crimson Tide hung in the game thanks in large part to the three-pointer as Alabama hit four from long range.
For the game, the visiting Knights went 21-72 from the field, shooting just 29.2 percent. The Crimson Tide hit 15-of-34 in the second half to finish 23-for-68 for 33.8 percent.
Ericka Russell scored 14 points to lead all scorers while Courtney Strauthers and Camilla Blands chipped in 13 and 11 respectively.
Continuing a span of six-straight games away from home, UCF returns to action on Sunday, playing at Florida Gulf Coast at 1 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.