Feb. 9, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF Sophomore Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) has been tabbed the Conference USA women's basketball player of the week, the league office announced Monday afternoon. It is the second time Cannon has earned the league's weekly award, and the second-straight week a UCF player has earned the distinction.
After not getting a C-USA Player of the Week award during its first three years in the conference, UCF players have won the honor a league-high four times in 2008-09. Cannon won her first award on Jan. 12, and fellow sophomore Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) claimed the honor on both Dec. 22 and last week, Feb. 2. The teammates are two of three players in the league to have won player of the week twice this season.
Cannon, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, posted averages of 14.5 points and 14.5 rebounds in leading UCF to C-USA home wins over Tulsa and SMU last week. With the victories, the Knights improved to 8-2 in league play and claimed sole possession of second place in the C-USA standings.
"This is another well deserved honor for Emma," said head coach Joi Williams. "Her inside play was pivotal for us securing two important conference wins, especially down the stretch in the second half of both games. She takes a lot of pride in her rebounding, and she was tenacious in getting to the glass Saturday and helping us limit SMU's second-chance opportunities. To get 20 rebounds in a game is quite an accomplishment, and to have done so twice in a season is something she can be proud of."
Cannon's week was highlighted by her performance in a 78-68 win over SMU on Saturday when she scored 14 points and tied her career high with 20 rebounds, grabbing 10 in each half. Her 16 defensive rebounds tied the C-USA record for defensive rebounds in a game. Cannon is the only C-USA player to grab 20 rebounds this season, and, having posted 34 points and 20 rebounds at Memphis on Jan. 8, she has now done so twice.
Prior to the SMU game, Cannon had a big second half in leading UCF to a 72-69 win over Tulsa. She scored 13 of her 15 points and grabbed seven of her nine rebounds after intermission.
"Winning player of the week is great, and I am happy and excited, but you can't be satisfied with things like this," said Cannon. "I just want to us to keep working harder so we can keep winning games and keep helping UCF win these awards."
With her big week on the boards, Cannon is now leading C-USA and is 11th nationally in rebounds per game at 10.7. She is also ranked sixth in the league in scoring at 15 points per clip.
Having concluded a season-long four-game homestand, UCF hits the road this week for games at Marshall and East Carolina. The Knights play at Marshall on Friday at 7 p.m. before visiting East Carolina on Sunday at 3 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.
2008-09 Conference USA Players of the Week
Nov. 17: Courtney Taylor, Houston
Nov. 24: Tynikki Crook, Marshall
Dec.1: Paris Leonard, Memphis
Dec. 8: LaCoya Terry, East Carolina
Dec. 15 Courtney Taylor, Houston
Dec. 22 Chelsie Wiley, UCF
Jan. 5 Brittany Gilliam, SMU
Jan. 12: Emma Cannon, UCF
Jan. 19: Timika Williams, UTEP & Chantelle Handy, Marshall
Jan. 26: Pauline Love, Southern Miss
Feb. 2: Chelsie Wiley, UCF
Feb. 9: Emma Cannon, UCF