Jan. 12, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF women's basketball player Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) has been named the Conference USA Player of the Week, the league announced Monday afternoon. The Knights have won two of the past three weekly conference awards, with Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) becoming the first UCF women's player to ever win C-USA Player of the Week on Dec. 22.
In road wins at Memphis and UAB, Cannon averaged 24 points and 13 rebounds while hitting 17-of-30 shots from the field. Her play helped the Knights improve to 3-0 in C-USA action and stay on top of the conference standings.
"Emma had a terrific week and was a huge factor in helping us secure two wins on the road," said head coach Joi Williams. "She has worked very hard to improve her overall game and to be more consistent. I am proud of her and glad that she can see that her hard work is paying off."
In UCF's convincing 85-67 victory over Memphis on Thursday, Cannon had a career game, posting personal bests with 34 points and 20 rebounds in a game-high 37 minutes of work. She hit 12-of-20 shots from the field and added a 10-for-13 performance from the free-throw line. It was the
Cannon became the first UCF player to score 30 or more points and grab 20 rebounds since the school joined C-USA in 2005-06. The performance was also the first time a Knight had 30 or more and 20 or rebounds since Shantrice Saxon did so on Nov. 30, 1996. Saxon was also the last UCF player to grab 20 rebounds in a game.
The 6-foot-2 forward backed up that outing against UAB on Saturday, scoring 14 points and pulling down six rebounds in a 74-67 victory over the Blazers.
"I am really excited about winning the award," said Cannon. "It was great to get 20 [points] and 20 [rebounds], let alone 30 and 20. It is cool to be player of the week, but I could not have won this award without my teammates because they do a great job getting me the basketball. I am just really excited that we are 3-0 and we look to keep it going."
Cannon and the Knights return to play on Jan. 18 when they travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a rematch with Southern Miss. Getting 18 points and nine rebounds from Cannon, UCF defeated the Golden Eagles 65-59 in the conference opener for both teams on Jan. 3.
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.