ATLANTA (Dec. 16, 2006) ? The Georgia State women's basketball team returns to the hardwood Monday after an eight-day break for final exams as one of four teams in the two-day UCF Holiday Classic, hosted by Central Florida in Orlando, Fla. State will face Florida A&M at 5 p.m. Monday before battling North Florida Tuesday at 5 p.m. Both games will be broadcast live on WRAS-FM 88.5 in Atlanta. Live audio of the games is also available on the Web at GeorgiaStateSports.com and wras.org.
State enters the Classic with a 4-4 record, having won four of its last five contests. The Panthers are averaging 73.0 points per game over their last five contests, including two outings of 90 or more points. Head coach Lea Henry, who is in her 13th season and is the program's all-time wins leader, is one win away from her 200th victory at the helm of the Panthers. Her record at State currently stands at 199-156.
Three players are averaging double figures in points, led by freshman forward Danyiell McKeller, who posts 13.3 per game. She is second on the team in rebounding average at 6.3 boards per contest. Senior guard Kelcey Roegiers-Jensen averages 13.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg and paces the squad with 5.9 assists per game. Freshman guard Tabitha David totals 11.2 ppg and connects at a 44.1 percent clip from beyond the arc.
Sophomore center Marcquitta Head is State's leading rebounder at 8.0 caroms per game. She and sophomore guard teammate Brittany Hollins are averaging 9.3 points per contest. Hollins leads the Panthers in steals (3.1 pg) and is second in assists (4.3 apg).
Georgia State and Florida A&M have a history as both were original members of the New South Women's Athletic Conference (NSWAC) and the Trans-America Athletic Conference (TAAC). The Lady Rattlers lead the all-time series 12-9 and the two teams have not met since the 1996-97 season.
FAMU (4-4) has won three straight after beginning the season at 1-4. Q'Vaunda Curry leads the team with 14.3 points per game. Deidra Jones adds 10.9 ppg and is the squad's leading rebounder at 8.3 boards per contest.
North Florida (2-6) will face host UCF Monday before its meeting with the Panthers. The Lady Ospreys, who have yet to play a game at home this season, are led by Jennifer Bowen's 7.5 ppg and Antoinette Reames' 7.0 ppg.
