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UCF Hoops Fastbreak: Knights Enjoy Mid-Week Home Game

Feb. 17, 2010

By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF's 68-65 Conference USA win over Houston Tuesday was big on many fronts for the Knights. The victory gave UCF the season series against the Cougars, and was the second-straight victory for the squad.

What might be ignored to casual observers was the key fact that the contest was UCF's first mid-week game at the UCF Arena since Jan. 13. After that date, the Knights played four-straight mid-week road contests. That means that members of the team missed three full days of classes in each of the last four weeks.

Playing at home was another reason why head coach Kirk Speraw was enthused after the win.

"That is good for them academically," he said about the Tuesday game in Orlando. "They need that. It is good that they are able to have a full week of classes this week."

UCF usually does not practice on Sunday, but did not take the day off this week because of the quick turnaround following Saturday's victory over visiting Tulane. As a result, Speraw has given the squad Wednesday off.

The Knights will return to action on Saturday at Southern Miss at 8 p.m. Eastern.

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: After registering four steals in the win over the Cougars, sophomore guard A.J. Rompza (Chicago, Ill.) moved to third nationally in the category at 2.8 swipes per game... The win over Houston gave the Knights their ninth victory at the UCF Arena this season... In its last three contests, UCF averaged 18 assists. The team recorded 19 assists versus Houston, with Rompza totaling 10.