Charlotte women's basketball begins Thanksgiving weekend with a pair of contests in the Daytona Beach Invitational beginning Friday night inside the Ocean Center at the "World's Most Famous Beach." The Niners will take on Illinois out of the Big Ten on Friday before tangling with Cincinnati on Saturday. Both tip times are set for 5:45 p.m.
"We've had a good week, we're growing as a team and we like the start of the season we've had," began Head Coach Cara Consuegra. I like the way we've prepared and we're coming off a really good practice today."
ONE-TWO PUNCH
Mikayla Boykin and Dazia Lawrence enter this weekend's action as the two leaders in point scoring from Conference USA. Boykin has scored 70 points through four games while Lawrence has scored 68. On a per game basis, Boykin's 17.5 ranks third in C-USA, Lawrence fourth at 17.0. Lawrence also leads in field goals with 27, Boykin leads with 68 field goal attempts while Lawrence and Jada McMillian are one-two in minutes per game (just under 36/game).
HOME SWEET HOME
Charlotte remained perfect at home this season (3-0) after a 55-47 victory over VCU on November 20th. Boykin dropped a game-high 24 points recording her second career double-double with 10 rebounds. Keanna Rembert added 12 second-half points on 6-of-7 shooting while Lawrence dropped 10 to give the Niners three in double-figures for the first time this season.
200!
Charlotte Head Coach Cara Consuegra secured her 200th career win in the 55-47 win over VCU on November 20th. Consuegra became the program's all-time winningest coach last season at #176. Ironically, it was also the team's 200th win under Consuegra when holding the opponent to under 50% shooting in the game.
ILLINI OUTLOOK
Illinois (5-0) heads to Daytona unbeaten in five games this season, all played at home. The Illini have put up five routs against LIU, Alcorn State, McNeese State, Evansville and most recently Oakland. Each victory was secured by at least 29 points.
Consuegra on the Illini
"They are playing at a really high level. They're 5-0 and blowing everyone out. It's going to be a challenge, they've got great pieces. I'm really excited about the guard matchup. It's going to be really fun to watch and the difference in the game."
BEARCATS BREAKDOWN
Cincinnati (3-2) dropped their season opener at nationally-ranked Louisville before topping Tennessee Tech and Radford at home. The Bearcats fell 74-71 in overtime to Toledo last week before defeating Lindenwood 71-60 this past Monday night.
Consuegra on the Familiarity with Cincinnati
"I've known Michelle since her days at Western Kentucky. With a 24-hour turnaround and no practice, no prep, it helps to be familiar with the style of their coach. I expect nothing but the best from them playing hard, competing and they're really good. It's two great matchups for us."
ALL-TIME AGAINST
Friday will mark the first-ever meeting on the hardwood between Charlotte and Illinois. Cincinnati holds a 12-6 advantage all-time with Saturday being the first get-together since November 2013.
FOLLOW ALONG FROM DAYTONA
FloHoops will carry the broadcast for both games this weekend along with the 49ers usual radio broadcast online. Stats for both of those including live stats can be found at http://www.charlotte49ers.com.
Consuegra on Playing in Daytona
"I think it's always great to have these Thanksgiving tournaments where you compete together as a team, spend time together and have a great Thanksgiving dinner this evening. It helps you grow, learn about each other and come closer as a team."
INVITATIONAL SCHEDULE
Friday
11am: Delaware/Fresno State
1:15pm: Penn State/Toledo
3:30pm: Cincinnati/UT Arlington
5:45pm: Charlotte/Illinois
Saturday
11am: Fresno State/Penn State
1:15pm: UT Arlington/Toledo
3:30pm: Illinois/Delaware
5:45pm: Charlotte/Cincinnati
Original source can be found here.
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