Feb. 23, 2011
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
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By Pat Salvas
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Following a successful two-game homestand, the UCF women's basketball team will look to improve its placement in the Conference USA standings with the first of two straight road games when it takes on UAB Thursday night. The Knights and Blazers are set to tip-off from Bartow Arena at 8 p.m. EST.
The Knights (16-10, 9-4 C-USA) are currently on a five-game win streak following wins over Tulane and ECU last week. The 73-69 overtime win over the Green Wave Thursday night was followed by a 17-point victory, 69-52, over the Pirates to run UCF's record to 11-2 at home this season.
Junior Aisha Patrick (Rockledge, Fla.) had back-to-back double doubles against Tulane and ECU, while senior D'Nay Daniels (Atlanta, Ga.) earned her seventh of the season Sunday against the Pirates with 10 points and a season-high 11 rebounds.
In its most recent game, UAB knocked off SMU for the first time ever on the road. The Blazers (14-12, 6-7 C-USA) were previously 0-2 in games in Dallas before earning the 53-49 victory. Karisma Chapman was named the C-USA Freshman of the Week for her efforts against the Mustangs and Marshall, scoring 17 and 13 points, respectively. In the first meeting between these two teams back on Jan. 13, the Knights held on for a 10-point win, 65-55, for their third C-USA win of the season.
UCF will remain on the road on Sunday as they travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., to take on Southern Miss in a 2 p.m. EST game. The Knights' final home game of the season and senior night celebrations will be on March. 3 when they host Memphis in a contest that will be televised nationally on CBS College at 7 p.m.
Don't miss out on another exciting UCF women's basketball game this season as affordable single-game tickets for remaining home games are available right now. Tickets start at $2 for youth and seniors, $5 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased online at UCFAthletics.com or by calling the UCF Athletics Ticket Office at (407) UCF-1000.
Thursday's Game
The Knights will play the first of two straight road games this weekend on Thursday at UAB. UCF has been one of the best home teams all season with an 11-2 mark at the UCF Arena, but will look to improve its 4-8 road mark with a win over the Blazers.
Scouting the Blazers
UAB hosts the Knights having won five of its last six games. That run has improved the team's C-USA record to 6-7 this season and moved it into a three-way tie for sixth place in the league standings. Despite starts in just five games this season, Amber Jones leads the team in scoring as she is averaging 11.5 points per game. Megan Brown is the Blazers' leader in rebounds with 5.5 a game in 2010-11.
All-Time Series
After the Knights' 10-point win back on Jan. 13, the Blazers still own an 11-5 advantage in the all-time series. That win in January was also the fourth in the last five games between the two teams for UCF. In six games between the two in Birmingham, UAB holds a slight 4-2 advantage.
On the Air
The rest of the UCF women's basketball season will be broadcast through Genesis Communications and can be heard on either WAMT 1190 AM or WHOO ESPN 1080 AM. Scott Adams will have the call live from Bartow Arena on Thursday and for the rest of the season.
Last Time Out
The Knights led for most of the game, including by as many as 13 points in the second half before holding on for the 10-point win. LaSahunda Pratt had a game-high 21 points for the Blazers, while senior D'Nay Daniels and junior Aisha Patrick had double-doubles for UCF. Daniels and fellow senior Chelsie Wiley each led the Knights with 17 points apiece, while Patrick had a game-high 11 rebounds. The win pushed UCF's record to 3-0 in league play and 10-6 overall.
Doubling Up
For just the second time this season, UCF had two players record double-double in the same game when Daniels and Patrick accomplished the feat against ECU. Patrick recorded her second in as many games with 10 points and a game-high 13 rebounds, while Daniels had 10 points and a season-high 11 boards. The same two players also had double-doubles in the same game against UAB on Jan. 13 at the UCF Arena.
Boards Galore
UCF had a season-high 56 rebounds against the Pirates at home. The Knights' 28 offensive rebounds were also a season with 19 coming in the first half. The 21 rebound advantage was also the greatest of the season for the Black and Gold.
Nearly Three
Senior Jelisa Caldwell's career-high nine rebounds were one shy of making her the third UCF player with a double-double against ECU. The fourth-year guard had 14 points, while pulling down five offensive and four defensive rebounds. Her previous high was six rebounds against Iona on Nov. 19 in the Preseason WNIT.
Subtle Leader
For the first time this season and just the third time in her career, junior Ashia Kelly reached the double-digit scoring mark in a game when she dropped 17 against the Pirates. Kelly's game-high 17 points were aided by a career-high three 3-pointers and 6-of-11 shooting from the field overall and eclipsed her previous high of 16 set last season against Southern Miss on March 3.
Tied Mark
Junior forward Racine Davis matched her career high with six rebounds against ECU. All six of Davis' boards were at the offensive end and were a team high. Her previous high was six rebounds at James Madison on Nov. 20 in the Consolation Round Final of the Preseason WNIT.
70 Plus
UCF was 22-of-70 from the field against ECU, marking the fifth time this season that the Knights attempted 70 or more field goals in a game. UCF has now done so in consecutive games after attempting 73 shots against Tulane last week. The Knights attempted a season-high 77 shots (26-77) in the season opener at Florida.
Outshot, But Win
After starting the season 0-10 when being outshot by an opponent, the Knights have now won their last three games despite being outshot. Marshall, Tulane and ECU all fared better than UCF from the field in each of the last three games, but UCF managed to win each contest.
Road Warriors
After starting the league schedule with a win at Rice, UCF dropped its next three league games on the road. Wins at Tulsa and Marshall have evened their road mark at 3-3 with the final two games away from the UCF Arena against teams that the Knights have already defeated this season.