Dec. 13, 2012
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By Jenna Marina
UCFAthletics.com
MIAMI, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - Playing in its first game in 11 days, the UCF women's basketball team could not shake off the rust Thursday on the road at FIU. The Knights dropped a 66-49 decision, putting up their lowest offensive output of the season.
Although UCF committed a season-low nine turnovers and tallied 15 steals off the Panthers' 21 turnovers, the Knights could not find the bottom of the net often enough.
Freshman Briahanna Jackson led the Knights with 14 points while FIU had three players in double figures, led by Jerica Coley's game-high 22 points.
"We didn't finish shots," UCF head coach Joi Williams said. "Defensively, I thought we had a decent enough effort in the first half. We just left a lot of points on the court. You can't do that, especially when you are on the road. You have to score to win, and we have to learn those lessons."
Neither team shot particularly well in the first half as UCF sank 7-of-25 (28 percent) and FIU converted 9-of-26 (34.6 percent) to take a slight edge, 24-19, at the break.
UCF tied the score twice in the first 20 minutes, including a 14-14 knot when Meghan Keough sent a pass from the top of the key to Stephanie Taylor on the block for a layup with 9:47 to go. But the Panthers responded with a 6-0 run.
UCF opened the second half with high energy thanks to two steals on FIU's first two possessions and a fastbreak layup from Andrea Hines to come within 24-21. But Williams was cited for a technical foul that gave two free throws to Coley that sparked a 10-3 FIU run to swindle the momentum right back.
The game got away from the Knights as FIU rolled out to as much as a 24-point lead late in the second half. The Knights' effort to come back was not helped by their performance at the charity stripe. UCF managed to convert just 10-of-20 from the line.
UCF returns to Orlando on Monday for a 7 p.m. matchup against Presbyterian before hosting South Alabama on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Fans who bring non-perishable food items to Wednesday's game for the Allstate food drive will receive free admission.
Season tickets, which start at only $30, are currently available by calling (407) UCF-1000 or by visiting UCFAthletics.com.