Jan. 9, 2010
Complete Release in PDF Format
="">Live Audio
">Live Audio
By Andrew Gavin
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - After a disappointing loss to open Conference USA play, UCF (3-7, 0-1 C-USA) aims to bounce back on Sunday afternoon against the hottest team in the league, playing at East Carolina (13-2, 2-0 C-USA) Sunday at 2 p.m. After blowout victories over both Marshall and Southern Miss this week, East Carolina sits atop the C-USA standings.
Friday night, UCF fell behind by as many as 19 points at Marshall and could not recover in a 74-60 loss. Juniors Marshay White (Rochester, N.Y.) and Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.) scored 17 and 10 points respectively, but C-USA Preseason Player of the Year Emma Cannon (Rochester, N.Y.) was limited to just seven points in 13 minutes due to foul trouble.
The game continued a frustrating trend for the Knights, who have struggled to score while losing six of the last seven games. In the six losses, UCF is averaging just 58.7 points while failing to score more than 62 in any of the games.
That must change against the high-powered Pirates. East Carolina enters as not only the hottest team in C-USA but also as the most potent offensively. Including 76 points in a 76-50 blowout of Southern Miss Friday, ECU is averaging a league-best 74.7 points per game.
The Pirates' success includes a perfect 8-0 mark at Minges Coliseum. ECU holds a 7-1 edge in the all-time series against UCF, but the Knights posted its first and only win over the Pirates a season ago in Orlando.
The contest will again be broadcast live on the radio. With Scott Adams and Andrew Gavin on the call, coverage can be heard beginning at 6:45 p.m. on WAMT 1190 AM ESPN Deportes. Those fans not in the Central Florida area or without radio access can listen live via the internet by clicking ="">Live Audio
">here.
? THE SERIES: East Carolina leads the all-time series with the Knights 7-1. The two teams split a season ago, with the Knights' victory in Orlando on Jan. 29, 2009 marking the program's first over the Pirates. In the last meeting, on Feb. 15 of last season, ECU claimed a thrilling 86-83 overtime win at Minges Coliseum. The Knights are looking for their first victory on the Pirates' home floor.
? BEEN THERE, DONE THAT: Just like a season ago, UCF began the Conference USA season after playing a difficult non-conference schedule and posting a sub-.500 record. The Knights faced ranked opponents in three of their nine non-conference contests, and added games against Alabama and Washington.
? MOVE OVER, I'M COMING UP: Cannon accomplished a special feat against Notre Dame, scoring her 1,000th career point. The junior becomes the 12th member of the 1000-point club in school history. Now with 1,011 points in her career, she is on pace to pass six players on the school's all-time list and sit in fifth place at the end of the season. Cannon is just seven points from passing Marcie Swiley (1979-83) for 11th 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 (1,348), Pauline Love of Southern Miss (1,274), Tulsa's Larissa Williams (1,209) and SMU's Britney Gilliam (1,193). However, Cannon is the league's only junior in the elite group. Houston's Courtney Taylor (930) and Cannon's teammate Chelsie Wiley (844) are the next closest juniors to 1,000 points.
? CLEAN SWEEP: On Dec. 22, UCF swept the Conference USA weekly awards when Cannon was named Player of the Week and freshman Gevenia Carter (Houston, Texas) earned Freshman of the Week honors. For Cannon, it was the fourth time in her career she has gained the distinction while Carter won her first C-USA weekly honor. Prior to last season, UCF had never had a player win a Conference USA weekly award, but the program now has six players of the week and two freshman of the week awards.
After the opening C-USA road games this weekend, UCF returns to Orlando to begin a three-game homestand. The homestand includes the 10K Gold Rush, a nationally-televised ESPN2 game on Sunday, Jan. 17 at 5 p.m. against UAB. The Knights need your help to pack the UCF Arena and set a new attendance record. Tickets will be free for all fans in attendance.
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.