Women’s basketball prepares for Orlando
Talented Wave looks to continue winning streak against Central Florida
Tulane will face conference rival Central Florida Saturday in Orlando. The Knights, winners of last year’s Conference USA tournament, have struggled to regain their championship form this season, and currently hold a record of 4-11 and 1-4 in conference play.
After a recent run of success that includes 12 wins in its last 14 games, Tulane has begun to attract attention in national rankings. In the Jan. 25 ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll, the Green Wave sat tied for the No. 37 spot, tied with C-USA rival East Carolina. It was the fourth straight week the Wave has appeared in the poll and the fifth time overall this season.
The Knights’ only conference victory was a Jan. 21 win over Southern Mississippi, whom the Wave dispatched 80-63 earlier this week. The victory snapped a five-game losing streak and allowed the team optimism as they entered the second half of the season.
“It’s good to get a win finally and this is long overdue,” UCF Coach Joi Williams said. “The difference is we played more aggressively and with the intensity that we need to play with from start to finish. [One win] can snap us out of it if our players realize why we won and what was different with this game than the other games we’ll be in good shape.”
UCF, however, was quickly brought back down to earth following a 77-67 loss to the University of Texas-El Paso, despite season-high 29 points on 10 of 16 shooting from junior Chelsea Wiley and 20 points on 8 of 13 shooting from junior D’Nay Daniels. The Jan. 24 contest was the only scheduled away game for UCF from Jan. 10 - Feb. 12.
In stark contrast to the Green Wave’s staunch defense, UCF ranks near the bottom of Division I in several defensive categories. The Knights have allowed an average of 45 percent shooting from their opponents this season.
Anchoring the frontcourt for the Knights is junior center Emma Cannon, currently ranked No. 22 in the nation in rebounding. Though she is not enjoying quite the same level of success she attained last season, the 6-foot-2 center enters Saturday’s contest averaging 10.2 rebounds and 13 points per game. She grabbed a season-high 20 boards in a 49-47 loss against Memphis Jan. 15.
The Green Wave (14-4, 3-2) travel to UCF Arena after facing two-time C-USA Player of the Year Jaireca Hughes of UTEP Thursday. Despite numerous frontcourt injuries, Tulane has found success using a five-guard starting lineup. They allowed the nation’s No. 2 rebounder Pauline Love to collect 17 boards, however, in their game against Southern Miss.
Against USM, the other team to reach last year’s C-USA tournament finals, guard/forward Danielle Nunn and guard Chassity Brown combined for 43 points, 11 rebounds and eight steals. As a team, the Green Wave equaled the larger Lady Eagles in rebounding and forced 26 turnovers. They played the game without 6-foot-3 center Brett Benzio. It is unknown if Benzio will play in Saturday’s contest.