Florida Atlantic 59, UCF 58
The Florida Atlantic Owls (5-5) picked up their biggest win of the season so far, defeating previously unbeaten UCF (8-1) on the road Monday, 59-58, inside Addition Financial Arena.
Three Owls registered double-digit performances in the win. Perry led the way for the Owls with a game-high 18 points, shooting 50 percent (6-of-12) from the field, 67 percent (4-of-6) from 3-point range, and going 2-of-3 from the line. She also tied for a team-leading four assists, pulled in three boards, and grabbed a team-leading two steals. Rozentale tied a season-high with 16 points, shooting 71 percent (5-of-7) from the field, a perfect 100 percent (3-of-3) from 3-point range, and 75 percent (3-of-4) from the line. She also pulled down seven rebounds, dished out three assists, and blocked a shot.
East Carolina 65, George Mason 44
Amiya Joyner put up a stat line for the ages and the Pirates led from the gun as the East Carolina women's basketball team took down George Mason, 65-44, on Monday night in Minges Coliseum. The Pirates led by as many as 31 points in the game, capitalizing on stifling defense to blow by the Patriots in the second half.
Joyner, for her part, was unstoppable up until she exited the game for the final time with about three minutes left. She was the dominant big that she showed herself to be last season and for the first time all year looked to be having a blast doing it. The Farmville native finished the game with a career-high 27 points, 16 rebounds, six blocks, three assists and three steals. It was her 14th career double-double and, at last, her first of the season. It was worth the wait.
Charlotte 65, Charleston Southen 60
The Charlotte women's basketball team used a second-half rally to defeat the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on Monday (Dec. 18) by a score of 65-60.
Dazia Lawrence led the effort offensively (21 points) and defensively (6 steals), while also grabbing six rebounds. Jacee Busick went 12-12 from the free-throw line, followed by Lawrence who finished 7-10. Tracey Hueston had 11 points and 7 rebounds. As a team, Charlotte shot 23-27 from the charity stripe for the game as a whole, and 18-20 in the fourth quarter alone. Rebounding was a big factor in the win as CLT pulled down 45 boards, with 19 of them being offensive. Keanna Rembert had a game-high 8 rebounds while also finishing with two steals. In the second half, Charlotte outscored Charleston Southern 36-18.
SMU 69, Sam Houston 64
Using Amirah Abdur-Rahim's second double-double of the season, including 15 points and a career-high 13 rebounds, the SMU Mustangs defeated the Sam Houston Bearkats 69-64 Monday night in Moody Coliseum.
SMU held Sam Houston to 29.7% shooting (22-74) from the field and outrebounded the Bearkats 53-40. The Mustangs dominated inside, outscoring Sam Houston 34-20 in the paint.
Four Mustangs scored in double figures, led by Abdur-Rahim's 15. The senior forward added a career-high in assists with three and steals with two. Tamia Jones filled out the stat sheet, adding 11 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Tiara Young added double-digit points for the 10th time this season with 10. She tallied six rebounds. Chantae Embry scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Reagan Bradley finished with seven points, six assists, and a season-high six rebounds. TK Pitts chipped in four points, eight boards, three assists, two blocks, and a steal. Jiya Perry finished with four points and two rebounds, and Maya Chandler added six.