Knights to take on Cougars ThursdayAs the men's basketball team searches to find answers for their last few games, the women's team has quietly remained among the leaders in Conference USA. Thursday's game against Houston will be a huge opportunity to remain in those ranks.
"In the past, versus [Houston], we've played well," said coach Joi Williams. "But we need to play good defense and that has been the key to our success."
UCF (11-8, 4-2 C-USA) comes into Thursday's matchup with the Cougars (15-4, 6-0 C-USA) fresh off a 28-point victory at home versus Marshall, in which the Knights used big scoring runs to demolish the Herd.
But the Cougars have been red hot in conference play this season, undefeated so far against C-USA foes.
In Todd Buchanan's first season as head coach, the Cougars are receiving votes in the AP top 25 poll and during the six-game conference winning streak, the Cougars have averaged 76.3 points per game.
Led by 2009 C-USA Player of the Year Courtney Taylor (16.3 points per game), the Cougars have four players who average double-digit points per game. The other three are Brittney Scott (15.6), Porsche Landry (14.9) and Lesslee Mason (10.1).
UCF boasts four players who average double-digit points as well. D'Nay Daniels (14.7), Chelsie Wiley (14.3), Aisha Patrick (10.9) and Jelisa Caldwell (10.4) are all playing well and will need to have a big game against Houston in order for the Knights to pull out a victory.
Houston will also be seeking revenge, as UCF has won the last two meetings, including the 2009 C-USA Championship game. But that's in the past and Houston is now the hunted in 2011.
"These are the games we wait for," Patrick said. "You always like to play the toughest competition, so we are going to go out and do what we always do. Push the ball, play good D and get the win."
UCF currently sits at third place in the conference standings and giving Houston their first C-USA loss would be a big step in getting UCF hoops back in the right direction.
"It's just another opportunity to show the league what we're about, and let everyone know UCF is back, and this will be a really good game," Daniels said.
The battle tips off at 7 p.m. at the UCF Arena.
The game can be heard on either WAMT 1190 AM or WHOO ESPN 1080 AM.


is a member of the 



Be the first to comment on this article!