Jan. 30, 2010
By Andrew Gavin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - After just one game away from the UCF Arena, the Knights return to Orlando to begin another three-game homestand Sunday against Tulane at 2:05 p.m. Currently in a stretch of six homes games in seven contests, UCF will host Tulane, Marshall and East Carolina over the course of seven days.
The contest will be aired live nationally on CBS College and re-aired Sunday at 6 p.m. on Comcast Sports Southeast. Ann Schatz will serve as the play-by-play announcer while Tammy Blackburn will handle the color analyst duties.
The Knights have had a week off from competition after returning from El Paso, where the team fell 77-67 to UTEP. Junior Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) had her best game of the season against the Miners, scoring a game-high 29 points and knocking down 7-of-10 three-pointers. Fellow junior D'Nay Daniels (Atlanta, Ga.) poured in a season-high 20 points.
Wiley has reached double figures in four of UCF's C-USA games, and the junior guard is averaging 13.7 points and shooting 50.8 percent in C-USA play.
Tulane is the first of the three upcoming home opponents, and, like the Knights, the Green Wave last played against UTEP. Tulane hosted the Miners on Thursday and was able to post a 57-47 victory. Junior Tiffany Aidoo had 15 points and 11 rebounds to lead Lisa Stockton's team to a victory.
The Green Wave is being led in scoring by senior Chassity Brown, who is averaging 15.1 points and 3.4 steals per game.
The all-time series between the two schools is even at 4-4, with UCF winning each of the previous three games played in Orlando.
The game can be heard live on WHOO 1080 AM ESPN Radio. With Scott Adams and Andrew Gavin on the call, coverage can be heard beginning at 1:40 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: UCF and Tulane have split the eight all-time meetings, with the Knights winning each of the three games played in Orlando. The last time the Knights hosted Tulane, UCF put six players in double figures and won 77-71 on Feb. 22, 2008.
? THE LAST MEETING: On Feb. 21 in New Orleans at Fogelman Arena, UCF fell 73-64 in the only meeting between the two teams a season ago. Wiley scored a game-high 21 points, but UCF could not overcome 22 turnovers. The Knights returned to the arena less than one month later to win four games and the C-USA Tournament.
? LENDING A HAND: Despite playing primarily at both guard positions, sophomore Aisha Patrick (Rockledge, Fla.) has been a big help on the glass this season, especially in conference play. In the Knights' six league games, Patrick has averaged 7.2 rebounds per game, including 16 in the past two contests against Southern Miss and UTEP.
? BACK TO THE POINT: Angelica Mealing (Decatur, Ga.) returned to her starting point guard spot against Memphis four games ago, and the junior has responded. Mealing had a career-high 10 assists against UTEP, and in C-USA play she has totaled 30 assists and just 13 turnovers.
? ANOTHER ONE FOR THE BOOKS: Wiley's 29-point game Sunday at UTEP was just one more in an impressive list of great games for the sharpshooter. Wiley knocked down 7-of-10 three-pointers, adding herself again to the UCF single-game record book. Her seven threes were one shy of the school-record eight she hit in nine attempts against Ole Miss last season, and tie her 7-for-9 performance last season against Marshall a year ago. Wiley now owns three of the top five best shooting performances for threes made in a game and three of the top seven efforts for single-game three-point percentage.
? SUCCESS AT SEVENTY: UCF has struggled offensively at times this season, leading to a couple of its close losses. The magic number has been 70. When the Knights score 70 or more points, they are 4-0. When they do not, they are 0-10. UCF's 67 points against UTEP are the most it has scored in a loss this season. The Knights hit 70 on the head in their last win, beating Southern Miss 70-60 on Jan. 21.
? START IT UP: Patrick currently has an impressive streak of consecutive starts. Against UTEP, Patrick made her 40th-straight start and has now started 48 of 49 games in her career.
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.