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Five-game win streak at risk against UAB

Women's basketball beat writer

Published: Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Updated: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 16:02

Central Florida Future

Jonathan Virgilio

The Knights are coming down the final stretch of the season as hot as ever.

Winners of five straight, UCF (16-10, 9-4) has ascended up to second place in Conference USA standings with just three games remaining before the conference tournament in March.

In those five wins, the Knights have averaged 68.4 points per game, while only allowing an average of 58.4 to opposing teams.

The next test for UCF comes at UAB Thursday. The Knights defeated the Blazers in their last meeting, 65-55 on Jan. 13.

UAB (14-12, 6-7) is playing good basketball down the stretch, winners of five of their last six games, and will be looking to upset the Knights in Birmingham.

The Blazers are very protective of their home court, registering an 8-3 home record at Bartow Arena including wins against Clemson and Memphis. At home, UAB is averaging 65 points per game.

Led by sophomore guard Amber Jones, averaging 11.5 points per game, and senior forward Amanda Peterson, averaging 10.3 points per game, the Blazers will look to penetrate UCF's sturdy defense that is allowing 61 points per game on average this season.

Seniors D'Nay Daniels (14.2) and Chelsie Wiley (14.1) are ranked 8th and 9th respectively in C-USA   for points per game. Coach Joi Williams will call upon their experience to lead the Knights to victory and improve upon UCF's rather unpleasant road record (4-8).

Junior guard Aisha Patrick leads the Knights in steals this season (67) and will look to add to that total, which is good enough for fourth in C-USA. She also leads the team in rebounds (209) and rebounds per game (8.4), both seventh in C-USA.

Senior guard Jelisa Caldwell is quietly having a solid season as well, averaging nearly ten points per game. Sophomore guard Gevenia Carter has been a spark off the bench the last few weeks, contributing minutes to give starters time to rest.

The game can be heard on 1140 AM or through the UCF Athletics website. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.

After the UAB game, the Knights will travel to Hattiesburg, Miss., on Sunday to take on the Golden Eagles of Southern Miss. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.

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