Dec. 11, 2009
By Andrew Gavin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Expect to see an angry, focused UCF (2-2) team Saturday when they play at FAU (3-5) at 5 p.m. In facing the Owls, the Knights will be playing an in-state opponent who came to UCF Arena and won 68-63 a season ago, and UCF wants to avenge that loss. More recently, a visiting Washington team ended UCF's run of nine-straight wins on its home court with a 62-59 win last Sunday. The Knights will enter Boca Raton determined to put both losses behind them.
The game with the Owls will begin a stretch of four games in nine days for the Knights, and it will also be the team's last non-conference road game before concluding the 2009 portion of its schedule with four home games.
UCF will look to get off to a better start after the Washington loss in which the team fell behind by 15 at the break. Juniors Marshay White (Rochester, N.Y.) and Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) combined for 34 points and led a Knight rally which tied the game in the second half before the Huskies claimed the win.
In last season's game on Nov. 22, 2008, FAU got 21 points from Carla Stubbs and 15 from Brittany Bowe to win despite being outrebounded 45-31.
The two teams have faced one common opponent early in the season, Bethune-Cookman. UCF defeated the Wildcats, 80-46, on Dec. 20. In FAU's last outing, they fell to Bethune-Cookman 66-61 on Dec. 2.
The contest will feature a live audio internet broadcast through Stretch Audio Internet, and it can be heard free of charge at by clicking here. Scott Adams and Andrew Gavin will be on the call, with the broadcast set to begin at 4:45 p.m.
INSIDE THE SERIES: Saturday's contest will be the 28th all-time in the series between UCF and FAU. Despite last season's loss, the Knights hold a 20-7 edge in the series. The UCF dominance has been in both Orlando and Boca Raton, with the Knights winning nine of 12 contests on the Owls' home court.
UCF VS. THE SUNSHINE STATE: In the history of the program, UCF has played 356 games against 25 different schools from the state of Florida. The Knights have an all-time record of 192-167 in those contests, including the win over Bethune-Cookman on Nov. 20. The Knights play four Florida schools in 2009-10, with Florida Atlantic and Florida State still on the schedule.
INTENSE STRETCH: While some of its Conference USA counterparts have played as many as nine games already, UCF has played just four times, including layoffs of 12 days and six days. Beginning with the FAU game on Saturday, things will pick up significantly for the Knights as they will play four times in a span of nine days.
START IT UP: Two members of the Knights' starting backcourt have lengthy current streaks of consecutive starts. Assuming she is penciled into the lineup Saturday, sophomore Aisha Patrick (Rockledge, Fla.) will have started 30-straight times. She has also started 37 of her 38 career games. Wiley will be making her 29th-straight start against the Owls.
UCF'S FOUR-PACK: Through four games this season, UCF has shows it is a balanced team. Not only our returning all-conference players Emma Cannon (13.3) and Wiley (11.8) averaging in double figures, but White (13.8) and Patrick (11.5) have joined them with averages over 10. The foursome is the only group of four teammates in C-USA averaging in double figures and the only group among the league's top-20 scorers.
TOUGH SLATE: A year after playing one of the nation's most difficult non-conference schedules, UCF will again be challenged in 2009-10. The Knights' already played #24 MTSU, and the schedule also includes home games against ranked Notre Dame and Florida State teams.
ELECTRIC 80: With 80 points against Bethune-Cookman and 84 against Jacksonville, UCF scored 80-plus points in consecutive games for the first time since Dec. 15 and 19, 2007, against both SE Louisiana and Appalachian State. It is also the first time the Knights have done so in back-to-back wins since Dec. 1 and 3, 2001 against Jacksonville State and Samford.
Season and single-game tickets are currently available with the UCF Ticket Office. Knight fans can purchase season tickets for each of the team's 14 home games for just $39. For more information on purchasing tickets, contact the UCF ticket office at (407) 823-1000.
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.