Jan. 16, 2010
By Andrew Gavin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Less than 48 hours after seeing its eight-game home C-USA winning streak come to an end in a 49-47 loss to Memphis, UCF will look to begin a new streak as UAB visits the UCF Arena for the 10K Gold Rush Sunday at 5 p.m. The Knights hope to see some results on the offensive end after struggling to score Friday.
Numerous promotions are in the works for the game, with free admission for every fan in attendance as the Knights aim to break the attendance record. The first 500 fans will also receive a free 10K Gold Rush t-shirt. In addition, if 500 students attend the game, a drawing will be held for a $1500 spring scholarship.
The game will be televised live nationally on ESPN2 with Pam Ryan handling the play-by-play duties an Kayte Christensen serving as the color analyst.
Against Memphis, the Knights opened on fire and led 21-10, but over the final 30 minutes could not get shots to fall in the disappointing loss. Junior Marshay White (Rochester, N.Y.) led the team with 15 points and teammate Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) tied a career high with 20 rebounds. However, Cannon struggled to find space against the Memphis zone and scored just eight points on five shot attempts.
UAB also struggled offensively on Friday night, but 49 points was enough for a 49-46 road victory over Southern Miss. Tamika Dukes scored a team-high 10 points for the Blazers, who won despite shooting just 31.6 percent and turning the ball over 24 times.
Last season, the Knights swept two games against UAB, including a 74-59 win in Orlando on March 1. Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) scored 31 in that contest and averaged 26 points per game in the two meetings with the Blazers. Cannon added 17.5 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.
The game can once again be heard live on ESPN Deportes 1190 AM WAMT. With Scott Adams and Andrew Gavin on the call, coverage can be heard beginning at 4:45 p.m. Those fans not in the Central Florida area or without radio access can listen live via the internet by clicking here or on UCFAthletics.com.
? THE SERIES: UAB holds a 10-3 record in the all-time series against UCF despite the Knights beating the Blazers twice last season. Last January, UCF won 74-67 for its first win all-time in Birmingham.
? SEASON SWEEP: In 2008-09, UCF swept both of this weekend's opponents, Memphis and UAB. In the two victories over the Blazers, Wiley averaged 26 points per game while Cannon added 17.5 per contest. As a team, UCF shot 43.6 percent and averaged just 13.5 turnovers.
? BLAZING HOT: In her two games against UAB a season ago, Wiley was terrific in averaging 26 points per game. The guard hit 15-of-27 shots from the field and 18-of-21 free throws to lead the Knights to the victories. In the game in Orlando, she scored 31 points on 9-of-14 shooting. She also got to the line 13 times, hitting 12.
? MOVE OVER, I'M COMING UP: Junior Emma Cannon accomplished a special feat against Notre Dame, scoring her 1,000th career point and becoming the school's 12th member of the 1000-point club. She passed Marcie Swiley against ECU, and, now with 1,128 points, is just seven points shy of passing Ali Roberts for tenth place all-time. She is on pace to end the season in fifth place. The top four players on the scoring list are: Tamika Coley (2,006), Susan Patz (1,587), Chariya Davis (1,517) and Yolanda Rhodes (1,322).
? FASTER THAN THE REST: Cannon became the fifth active player in Conference USA to reach the 1,000-point plateau, joining UTEP's Jareica Hughes (1,395), Pauline Love of Southern Miss (1,303), Tulsa's Larissa Williams (1,241) and SMU's Britney Gilliam (1,197). However, Cannon is the league's only junior in the elite group. Houston's Courtney Taylor (954) and Cannon's teammate Chelsie Wiley (868) are the next closest juniors to 1,000 points.
? D-FENCE: UCF was unable to get a victory on Friday, but the loss overshadowed a much improved effort by the Knights' defense. The team entered the weekend last in the league in field goal percentage defense, but held Memphis to just 39.3 percent from the field and an 0-6 effort from long range. The 49 points allowed tied for the fewest in C-USA game under Joi Williams and were the second-fewest allowed in a league game. UCF defeated UTEP 51-46 on the same date in 2006.
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.