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UCF Hoops Fastbreak - Knights Hoping to Build on UConn Performance

Dec. 21, 2009

By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - After nearly toppling 14th-ranked UConn in Hartford yesterday, the Knights returned to Orlando late Sunday. Head coach Kirk Speraw is obviously hoping to build on his team's solid performance against the Huskies, as the Knights hit the practice court Monday morning.

UCF led 25-20 at halftime at UConn, but a strong second-half performance from the Huskies' Stanley Robinson, who finished with 26 points, lifted the hosts to a 60-61 victory at the XL Center.

After Monday's practice, the Knights will have five days off. The majority of the team will head home for Christmas. The squad will reconvene on Sunday for a pair of practices.

UCF will not play until Dec. 29, when the Knights host Liberty as part of the UCF Holiday Classic. Tip-off at the UCF Arena is set for 7 p.m. Buffalo and Jacksonville are also participating in the two-day tournament.

The Knights (7-4) are 5-0 at home this season.

A special "Pick Your Starting Five" ticket plan is currently available. The plan allows fans to select tickets to five games of their choice for as little as $45. To purchase the "Pick Your Starting Five Plan" today, call (407) UCF-1000 or visit UCFAthletics.com.

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.

Notes: UCF has claimed the last three UCF Holiday Classic titles... After recording 13 rebounds at UConn, redshirt freshman forward Dave Diakite (Washington, D.C.) now leads the squad on the glass, averaging 6.8 per game... In games at USF and UConn, two BIG EAST programs, freshman guard Marcus Jordan (Highland Park, Ill.) averaged 12.0 points on 52.9 percent shooting.