CF Alum Ricardo Ratliffe Named Big 12 Rookie of the Week

Former Central Florida All-American Ricardo Ratliffe has earned his first regular-season award at the NCAA level. The Missouri junior on Monday was named the Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week. From the press release:

Ratliffe recorded two double-doubles and narrowly missed a third as Missouri had three wins against Wyoming (72-62), La Salle (83-71) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (91-63). The junior forward had 10.7 points and 12.0 rebounds per game in his three outings, including a season-high 14 boards in the victory over La Salle. He was named to the Cancun Challenge All-Tournament Team after averaging 11.0 points and 13.0 boards in just 22.5 minutes of action. Ratliffe is third in the Big 12 in rebounding (9.6 per game) and ranks seventh in field goal percentage (.520).

CF Hires Flavia Siqueira to Lead New Patriots Volleyball Program

The College of Central Florida’s newest athletics program now has a head coach. CF has hired Flavia Siqueira, a former All-American athlete and accomplished collegiate coach, to guide the launch of the CF women’s volleyball team.

Siqueira comes to CF after three seasons at Northwest College, a National Junior College Athletic Association member school in Powell, Wyo. She holds a master’s degree in college teaching and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to coach at College of Central Florida. The challenge of starting a new program from the ground up is amazing,” Siqueira said. “I guarantee that my student-athletes and I will give our best to this great institution.”

A native of Brazil, Siqueira signed in 2000 with Western Nebraska Community College, leading the team to consecutive top-four national finishes and earning All-Region and Academic All-American honors. She then transferred to the University of Mary, where she earned All-American honors and led the program to the first national top-10 ranking in its history.

Siqueira began her coaching career at the College of the Southwest in Hobbs, N.M., before taking the position at Northwest College. She led the Trappers to a 90-38 record in her tenure with the program, including a regional championship and an NJCAA national tournament berth in the fall of 2009. The same year, Siqueira earned a Thirty Under 30 Award from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, one of two coaches from two-year programs to earn the distinction.

“Flavia’s mix of experience and enthusiasm is exactly what’s needed to get our program off to a great start,” said CF Director of Athletics Bob Zelinski. “With an outstanding coach and a wealth of local talent to recruit, Patriot volleyball is poised for an exciting and successful inaugural season.”

CF added women's volleyball to its intercollegiate athletic offerings in June after approval by the CF District Board of Trustees, becoming the 17th member of the Florida College System to field a women’s volleyball team sanctioned by the Florida Community College Activities Association and the NJCAA.

“The college is committed to responding to the community, and this is one more way to broaden our reach,” said Dr. Charles Dassance, CF president. “We look forward to having Flavia Siqueira lead us in this venture.”

Siqueira will officially start as head coach on Jan. 3. The Patriots will conduct spring practices and scrimmages beginning the following month, start fall practice in August and open their inaugural season as early as Aug. 28, 2011. The NJCAA volleyball season is played entirely in the fall semester, concluding with the NJCAA Tournament in November.

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Northwest Florida State 75, CF Lady Patriots 61 (WBB)

The Central Florida women took their second consecutive loss on Saturday, falling to host Northwest Florida State 75-61 in Niceville.

Moniqua Darby scored 19 and Tiara Smith 11 to pace CF (7-3). The Lady Patriots host the Women's Shootout next weekend, facing Pensacola on Friday and Brevard on Saturday.

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Northwest Shoals 84, CF Lady Patriots 74 (WBB)

Central Florida lost for just the second time this season on Friday night, opening the Rick Flores Classic in Niceville with an 84-74 setback to Northwest Shoals CC of Alabama.

The Lady Patriot frontcourt played well in defeat, as Moniqua Darby scored 20 points, Canvis Scott totalled 18 and Yasmeen Thompson added 16.

CF (7-2) hosts invitational host Northwest Florida State on Saturday.

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CF Patriots 76, Hillsborough 53 (MBB)

Central Florida deployed a balanced scoring attack and a stingy defense Tuesday to earn a 76-53 win at Hillsborough.

Four Patriots reached double figures in scoring, led by power forward Kevin Foster's 18 points. Freshman guard Hunter Williams continued his strong recent play with a 16-point effort, returning sophomore Slobodan Miljanic added 12 and versatile sophomore wing Mathiang Muo contributed 10.

With its November schedule complete at 6 wins and 3 losses, CF is off for just over a week until it hosts IMG Academy at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1.

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Lady Patriots Continue to Ascend FCCAA State Rankings

The Central Florida women's basketball team continues to chip away at the Panhandle stronghold atop the weekly FCCAA Coaches' Poll. The Lady Patriots leapfrogged Chipola to move to No. 4 in the latest edition, released Tuesday. 

CF, now 7-1 after an unbeaten home-opening three-game weekend, has moved up one spot per week since earning a No. 6 ranking in the preseason poll. The team moved into the national rankings last week at No. 20.

The Patriot men, meanwhile, held steady at No. 9.

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CF Lady Patriots 71, Brevard 55 (WBB)

The Central Florida women's basketball team completed a home-opening hat trick on Sunday, beating Brevard 71-55 to wrap up an unbeaten run through its three-day CF Shootout.

The Lady Patriots were again led by freshman phenom Moniqua Darby, who totalled a game-high 21 points and 8 rebounds. Point guard Janay Borum recorded a 14-point, 10-assist double-double, while forwards Charo Fowler and Simone High added 12 apiece off the bench. (Visit the CF Patriots YouTube channel for a High highlight.)

CF shook off a shaky first half with a dominant stretch run, outscoring the Titans 41-26 after halftime while shooting 56 percent from the field.

CF handled Miami-Dade and Broward on Friday and Saturday, respectively, in the first two legs of the three-day marathon.

The Lady Patriots, ranked fifth in the state and 20th in the nation, improved to 7-1 with the victory. The only blemish on their record is a narrow Nov. 13 loss at College of Southern Idaho, the nation's No. 8 team. CF faces its toughest in-state test next weekend in Niceville, facing host Northwest Florida State on Saturday after a neutral-site game against Northwest Shoals, Ala., on Friday. 

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CF Lady Patriots 74, Broward 66 (WBB)

Central Florida earned its second win of the three-game weekend on Saturday, handling Broward 74-66 on day two of the CF Shootout.

Lady Patriots returning sophomore Canvis Scott led all scorers with 19 points, shooting 8-for-10 from the field and 3-for-4 from the line in an efficient 21-minute effort. Point guard Janay Borum had 14 points and 6 assists and Moniqua Darby contributed 14 points and 6 rebounds.

CF (6-1), ranked fifth in the state and 20th in the nation, goes for the weekend sweep Sunday at 4 p.m. against Brevard.

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CF Alum Ricardo Ratliffe Records First NCAA Double-Double

Former Central Florida All-American Ricardo Ratliffe recorded the first of what projects to be many NCAA double-doubles on Saturday, posting 16 points and 10 rebounds as Missouri handled North Florida 96-58.

Mizzou made the reigning NJCAA Male Athlete of the Year a focal point of its offense, said Tigers coach Mike Anderson, and that trust was rewarded: 

"(Ratliffe) came out and really looked like the player that we think he's capable of being. Our guys did a good job of getting the ball to him, and he did a good job of finishing."

Mizzou junior Laurence Bowers said Ratliffe's performance was a sign of great things to come for CF's career leading scorer.

“He played the way I'm used to guarding him in practice. I was actually felt sorry for the other team. If we can get that consistently and he is a consistent player, I think that can help our basketball team. I think as a whole, everyone played really well. When you have a balanced scoring attack like that that lets you know we were moving the ball and getting assist. It was definitely a good coming out game for Ricardo.”

A closer look at the box score shows that Ratliffe did his considerable damage off the bench and in just 20 minutes of floor time. He shot 8-for-12 from the field.

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CF Lady Patriots 64, Miami-Dade 60 (WBB)

Central Florida opened its home women's basketball schedule on Friday with a rugged win over a fellow ranked team, knocking off Miami-Dade 64-60.

The Lady Patriots, ranked fifth in the state and 20th in the nation, improved to 5-1 with the win over the FCCAA No. 10 Lady Sharks.

Freshman forward Moniqua Darby led the way for the home team, recording her fourth consecutive double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Point guard Janay Borum contributed 10 points, 4 assists and 4 steals, while Briana Gibson collected a game-high 12 rebounds off the bench. Returning sophomore Canvis Scott added 9 points (watch Scott drive the lane and score at the CF Patriots YouTube channel).

CF overcame a 37-30 halftime deficit primarily on the strength of its defense, holding Miami-Dade to 27 percent shooting and just 23 points in the second half.

In the day's earlier games, Santa Fe defeated Brevard 72-45, and Daytona State edged Broward in overtime 69-66. (Watch Scott slash to the hoop for two at the CF Patriots YouTube channel.)

The three-day Shootout continues Saturday at 2 p.m. with Brevard facing Daytona State, Miami-Dade taking on Santa Fe, and the Lady Patriots wrapping things up with a 6 p.m. game versus Broward.

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CF Patriots 58, St. Petersburg 52 (MBB)

Central Florida snapped a two-game losing streak and knocked off a formidable in-state foe on Friday, earning a 58-52 win at St. Petersburg.

The No. 9 Patriots (5-3) were paced by wing Slobodan Miljanic. The team's lone returning sophomore scored 16 points and sparked with CF offense with 3 three-pointers while adding 5 rebounds.

CF sweeps the season series from St. Petersburg with the win. The Patriots also won 83-75 on Nov. 2 in Ocala. Their extended road swing concludes Tuesday with a visit to Hillsborough before finally returning to their home court Dec. 1 against IMG Academy.

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Lady Patriots Earn Spot in National Top 25

The Central Florida women's basketball team opens its home schedule on Friday. Now, on the strength of its impressive season-opening road swing, it will do so as a nationally-ranked powerhouse.

The Lady Patriots stormed into the national poll this week, leapfrogging state rival Chipola College en route to a No. 20 ranking in the latest NJCAA Top  25. The 4-1 CF squad's attractive early-season resume includes wins over tough FCCAA opponents St. Petersburg and Palm Beach State and out-of-state rivals Sheridan and Eastern Arizona, with three of those victories coming by double digits and all at neutral sites. Its lone loss, a 75-66 setback to College of Southern Idaho, came on CSI's home court, in the finale of its host tournament, and only after the host school overcame The narrow loss proved the Lady Patriots belonged in the national conversation, as CSI entered the game ranked 12th in the country and has since moved up to No. 8 in the latest poll.

The Lady Patriots open their home schedule with three games this weekend, beginning at 8 p.m. Friday against Miami-Dade.

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CF Lady Patriots Women's Basketball 2010-11 Preview: The Paint

CF women's basketball Cheryl Rice has assembled a deep
and versatile roster loaded with size and skill.

There are a variety of qualities a basketball team needs to be great. Talent and depth. Shooting. Commitment to defense. Leadership. Focus and determination.

For all of those worthy attributes, sometimes the difference between mere success and true greatness is a simple one: size. In the offseason, CF women's basketball coach Cheryl Rice made a determined effort to make the Lady Patriots a bigger, longer team without sacrificing the program's cultural pillars of intense defense and gifted perimeter playmakers. A look at the CF roster reveals the results of that effort.

CF's new crop of post players is notable not just for its overall size, but for the skills embedded within. No new Lady Patriot embodies that dynamic combination better than Moniqua Darby, a 6-1 Georgia native capable of posting nightly double-doubles. Darby's size alone makes her worthy of attention in the post, but once the ball is in her hands, defenses quickly learn the extent of their problems. The freshman star can convert in the post, loft mid-range jumpers and find open cutters and spot-up shooters, making her an ideal fit to headline the revamped CF lineup.

The faces are not all new in the CF frontcourt: the Lady Patriots return a productive member of the 2009-10 squad in Canvis Scott. One of two returning sophomores, Scott grew into a force as her freshman season went on, turning in outstanding performances during the team's Mid-Florida Conference run and in the state tournament. Despite the wealth of new talent around her, Scott's ability to finish in traffic and fill a fast-break lane will make her a big part of the Lady Patriot rotation.

That rotation gets a dose of versatility from a pair of out-of-state freshmen forwards. Maryland native Briana Gibson, a high school teammate of fellow CF freshmen Janay Borum and Tiara Smith, has experience meshing her considerable talents with a high-powered roster. At 6-0, she has the size to operate in the paint and the floor game to contribute on the wing. Wherever she plays, her unflinching approach and intensity makes her a valuable presence on the floor.

Even the most well-organized and efficient offenses need a jolt sometimes, and that's when Simone High should have her greatest impact. Her all-around offensive attack should keep the Lady Patriots from experiencing the scoring droughts that can turn a lead into a deficit, and her ability to make timely plays and rally-starting shots is sure to make a difference over the course of a long, trying season.

For all the merits of fielding a versatile roster with interchangeable parts, it's never a bad idea to have a pure glass-cleaning, shot-blocking big on your side to maintain order in the paint. Meet Yasmeen Thompson, the Lady Patriots' enforcer and intimidator. Opponents see the 6-2, Philadelphia-bred post in the layup line and wish their bus driver would have made a wrong turn. Old-school fans who value scowls and sharp elbows  in a center may find that Thompson is their new favorite player.

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CF Lady Patriots Women's Basketball 2010-11 Preview: The Perimeter

Returning sophomore Shaunte Forward is a valuable
leader for a freshman-heavy Lady Patriots squad.

Central Florida women's basketball coach Cheryl Rice has always had a knack for recruiting and developing skilled perimeter stars. From Alberta Auguste to Tiffany Hamilton to Markeshia Grant, a Lady Patriots team usually has a top-shelf lead guard at the controls.

The 2010-11 team features more size than recent editions of the Lady Patriots. But the influx of talent in the post signals a new facet of the traditional CF style, rather than a major shift in approach. As always, this CF team will be driven by its guards. And the talent is there for a long, enjoyable trip.

Freshman point guard Janay Borum is a speedy, crafty playmaker who has transitioned to the college level seamlessly. The former Maryland prep star strikes an ideal balance between distribution and scoring, making full use of the arsenal around her while keeping defenses honest with her ability to finish the job herself when needed. Defensively, the 5-2 Borum pesters opposing point guards into turnovers and broken plays and has the quickness and instincts to collect steals and convert them to fast-break points.

Foremost among Borum's offensive options is Quinnecia Twine, a potent scorer tested at the highest levels of Atlanta prep basketball. Twine is an outstanding outside shooter, but she's equally comfortable putting the ball on the floor and driving the lane if she's chased off the 3-point line. The combination makes her an extremely difficult player to match up against, and opponents' preoccupation with the versatile 5-8 wing tends to create opportunites for her teammates.

Tiara Smith, a high school teammate of Borum's, projects to blossom into an elite player for the Lady Patriots as she translates her considerable skills and athletic gifts to the college level. An explosive athlete, Smith is a threat to put up huge numbers any given night or provide the kind of timely game-changing plays that swing an outcome in her team's favor.

Charo Fowler, a Florida-bred athlete out of Winter Park High School, fills up box scores with an above-average all-around game. The 5-11 wing possesses a mix of size and skill that allows her to contribute from a number of positions and in a variety of roles, making her a productive member of many of the Lady Patriots' most effective lineups.

Shaunte Forward is one of two returning players from last year's Mid-Florida Conference second-place team, and the experience gained as a freshman has refined the talented Panhandle native into a valuable sophomore leader. She'll serve as a stabilizing and motivating force for the freshman-heavy Lady Patriots, while also providing her share of more tangible results in the form of points, rebounds and assists.

Few teams can boast even one playmaker as talented as freshman Nikarre Sesler, but the Lady Patriots have two in Borum and the lightning-quick 5-2 point out of nearby Wildwood High School. Sesler and Borum will engage in a hard-fought but productive battle for minutes throughout the season, and the rest of the team will be the happy beneficiary.

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Southern Idaho 75, CF Lady Patriots 66 (WBB)

The Central Florida women gave homestanding College of Southern Idaho a scare on Saturday before absorbing their first loss of the season, a 75-66 setback to the nation's 12th-ranked team.

Freshmen forwards Moniqua Darby and Quinnecia Twine again led the way for the Lady Patriots. Darby recorded her third double-double is as many games in Idaho with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Twine led the Lady Patriots in scoring for the third time in a row and the fourth time in five games with 15 points.

The game concluded CF's season-opening five-game road swing. The Lady Patriots (4-1) take to their home court for the first time next weekend, hosting the six-team CF Shootout on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. CF will face Miami-Dade, Broward and Brevard over the course of the three-day event.

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Westwind Prep 108, CF Patriots 97 (MBB)

The Central Florida men's team fell to 4-3 with a 108-97 loss to Westwind Prep on Saturday in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Slobodan Miljanic scored 33 points, including 5 three-pointers, to pace CF. Kevin Foster and Hunter Williams added 18 points apiece.

The game wrapped up the Patriots' three-game set in Idaho; they return to the Sunshine State for a Nov. 19 visit to St. Petersburg.

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Cecil Leads Mercer to Opening Win; Grant Strong in NCAA Debut

Former Central Florida Patriots star Justin Cecil made a successful return to the Division I level on Friday, scoring a game-high 14 points as Mercer beat Oglethorpe 67-44 to open its 2010-11 campaign.

Cecil, who spent his sophomore year at CF after a freshman season at North Florida, earned the start at forward and turned in a strong 22 minutes, making 6 of 10 field-goal attempts and 2 of 4 three-pointers and adding 5 rebounds, a steal and a blocked shot. 

Former CF All-American Markeshia Grant, meanwhile, scored 12 points in 28 minutes in South Carolina's season-opening loss to Xavier.

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Southern Idaho 86, CF Patriots 73 (MBB)

The Patriots took a loss to a homestanding, nationally-ranked opponent on Friday, falling to NJCAA No. 24 College of Southern Idaho 86-73.

CF (4-2) enjoyed a 35-32 halftime lead before the Golden Eagles pulled in front and away with a furious second-half rally. Ocala-bred freshman guard Hunter Williams continued a breakout road trip with a game-high 24 points on 10-for-17 shooting, including 4 three-pointers in 7 attempts.

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CF Lady Patriots 69, Eastern Arizona 53 (WBB)

The Lady Patriots ran their season-opening win streak to four on Friday with a decisive 69-53 win over Eastern Arizona in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Quinnecia Twine scored 16 points to lead the offensive attack, while Moniqua Darby posted her second consecutive double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Point guard Janay Borum had 7 assists and Briana Gibson 5 steals to complement the high-scoring forwards.

CF, now 4-0 and yet to play on its home court, takes on host school College of Southern Idaho as the three-day invitational comes to a close Saturday. The Golden Eagles represent the Lady Patriots' toughest foe to date by far, armed with a No. 12 national ranking and a significant home-court advantage.

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CF Alum Clinton Hart Leads Nighthawks Playoff Push

Central Florida baseball alumnus and NFL veteran Clinton Hart leads his Omaha Nighthawks in a crucial UFL game with a lot of postseason implications Saturday night in Sacramento.

The 3-3 Nighthawks have just two games remaining to earn a berth in the UFL championship game, and need to catch up to Florida and Las Vegas in the five team league's standings.

Watch the game live online starting at 11 pm Saturday night.  

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CF Lady Patriots 67, Sheridan 57 (WBB)

The Central Florida women improved to a perfect 3-0 on Thursday with a 67-57 win over Sheridan College in Twin Falls, Idaho.

Moniqua Darby posted her first double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds as CF opened its three-game Idaho visit with an impressive win over a strong Wyoming program. Fellow freshman Quinnecia Twine scored 19 points, including 5 three-pointers, to lead all scorers.

The trip continues Friday as the FCCAA No. 5 Lady Patriots take on Eastern Arizona, which lost to host College of Southern Idaho 81-61 on Thursday. CF gets its shot at the homestanding Golden Eagles, ranked 12th in the NJCAA Top 30, on Saturday.

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CF Patriots 86, Casper 77, OT (MBB)

Sophomore standout Kevin Foster performed the game-long heavy lifting and the last-second heroics on Thursday as the Central Florida men knocked off nationally-ranked Casper College 86-77 in overtime.

Foster, a transfer from George Mason bound for Fresno State next season, dropped in the game-tying shot with 1.7 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game at 71 and force the extra frame. The Patriots outscored their rivals 15-6 in overtime to secure the victory over the NJCAA's 30th-ranked team.

Foster posted an emphatic double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. Mathiang Muo, another Division I transfer from Northeastern, added 15 points as the FCCAA No. 8 Patriots improved to 4-1.

CF takes on another nationally-recognized squad Saturday in host College of Southern Idaho. The Golden Eagles stand at No. 24 in the NJCAA top 30.

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CF's Kevin Foster Wins FCCAA Player of the Week Honors

Patriots sophomore Kevin Foster has won the first FCCAA Men's Basketball Player of the Week award of the 2010-11 season. From the FCCAA press release:

The College of Central Florida’s Kevin Foster is this week’s FCCAA Men’s Basketball Player of the Week. Foster, a transfer from George Mason and Lakeland, Fla., native, averaged 20.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steal for the Patriots, who opened their season with three wins in four outings. Foster began the season with three straight 20-plus point outings, including a 25-point, 12-rebound performance against then-No. 7 St. Petersburg on November 2. He narrowly missed a second double-double, tallying 22 points and nine rebounds against Aiken Tech (November 5). For the week, Foster shot 59.1 percent (26-of-44) from the floor and 70.7 percent (29-of-41) from the free throw line.

Foster is no stranger to such awards: he was named the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week in February after a pair of breakout performances. The former All-State performer at Lakeland Kathleen will play for Division I Fresno State next season.

Lady Patriots Rise a Notch in State Rankings

A perfect 2-0 start, including an impressive win over ranked opponent Palm Beach State, edged the CF women's basketball team up a spot in the FCCAA Coaches' Poll, released Tuesday. The No. 5 Lady Patriots are now the top-ranked team outside of the Panhandle.

The 3-1 men's team slipped from sixth to eighth in the men's poll.

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How to Watch CF Hoops Alumni at the NCAA Level

Here is a full schedule of opportunities to cheer on Central Florida basketball alumni at the NCAA level.

The list includes national and regional TV appearances and road games played within 90 minutes of Ocala. Check back often for updates and corrections, and be sure to confirm a game's date and time with the host school's official Web site before hitting the road to attend in person. Please bring any oversights to the attention of Gregory Broome, CF Sports Information Director, at broomeg@cf.edu. Go Patriots and former Patriots!

Players

Men's Basketball: Ricardo Ratliffe, Missouri; Justin Cecil, Mercer
Women's Basketball: Markeshia Grant, South Carolina; Breanna Fort, Clayton State

CF Patriots 98, USC-Salkehatchie 60 (MBB)

Central Florida recovered from its first loss of the season with its third double-digit victory, beating USC-Salkehatchie 98-60 on Saturday at Aiken. S.C.

Freshman guard Brian Pace led the Patriots (3-1) with 17 points, while Ocala Forest product Hunter Williams added 16. Returning sophomore Slobodan Miljanic had 14 points, including 4 three-pointers in 5 attempts.
CF's road trip continues out west next week as the Patriots and Lady Patriots participate in the College of Southern Idaho's invitational tournaments in Twin Falls, Idaho, starting Thursday.

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CF Lady Patriots 78, St. Petersburg 67 (WBB)

The Lady Patriots completed a perfect two-game trip to Gainesville on Saturday with a 78-67 win over St. Petersburg.

Yasmeen Thompson and Charo Fowler each had 14 points to pace CF (2-0), while point guard Janay Borum added 10 points and 9 assists.

The Lady Patriots continue their season-opening road swing out west, visiting Twin Falls, Idaho, for a three-day invitational starting Thursday.

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CF Alum Ricardo Ratliffe Notches Double-Double in Mizzou Exhibition Debut

Former Central Florida Patriots All-American Ricardo Ratliffe posted a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double in his exhibition debut at Missouri, a 114-60 win over Harris-Stowe State.

CF Lady Patriots 72, Palm Beach State 65 (WBB)

Quinnecia Twine scored 15 points
in an impressive college debut.

The Lady Patriots successfully opened their season, knocked off a fellow state-ranked opponent and avenged a lingering defeat on Friday as they beat Palm Beach State 72-65 at Santa Fe College's Tip-Off Classic in Gainesville.

Freshman Quinnecia Twine made a strong college debut in the victory, leading the Lady Patriots with 15 points. Returning sophomore Canvis Scott, one of two CF players back from the team Palm Beach knocked out of the 2009-10 state tournament, turned in 14 points and 9 rebounds, while freshman Janay Borum notched 6 assists and 4 steals from her point guard spot.

CF entered the game with a No. 6 ranking in the FCCAA preseason poll, while Palm Beach stood at No. 10.

The Lady Patriots complete their two-game participation in the annual Gainesville invitational on Saturday against St. Petersburg.

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Aiken Tech 66, CF Patriots 57 (MBB)

The CF men took their first loss of the season on Friday, falling to Aiken Tech 66-57 on the opening day of the South Carolina school's invitational tournament.

Kevin Foster scored 22 and Mathiang Muo 15 points for CF. The Patriots (2-1) conclude their two-game visit to Aiken on Saturday, facing USC-Salkehatchie.

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WCJB: CF Retires Ricardo Ratliffe's Jersey, Wins Men's Basketball Opener

On Monday night, Ocala-Gainesville ABC affiliate WCJB-TV shot and aired a segment covering CF's men's basketball season-opener and the halftime ceremony honoring Ricardo Ratliffe. Happily, that piece is now available on the station's Web site. Click right here to watch it.

CF Alum Clinton Hart Returns to Area as Nighthawks Face Florida Tuskers

Former Central Florida Patriots baseball star Clinton Hart is back in his home state this week as his UFL-leading Omaha Nighthawks take on the Florida Tuskers at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. on Friday night; tickets are available here, and you can watch the game online here.

Hart is a native of Dade City, a former multi-sport standout at South Sumter High School in Bushnell and an offseason resident of Ocala.

The seven-year NFL veteran has crafted a successful second act to his professional football career with the Nighthawks, who enter Friday's game at 3-2 and in sole possession of second place in the five-team UFL. A Florida win, however, would tie the teams at 3-3 as the postseason approaches.

Hart discussed the playoff push with the Omaha World-Herald:

“We've put ourselves in a position where we have to fight the rest of the way,'' Omaha safety Clinton Hart said. “With the team we have, I don't know if we expected it to be this tough...This is a tough league. There are a lot of good, young players wanting to prove us wrong.''

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CF Hoops Teams Launch Extended Road Trips

The Central Florida men's and women's basketball teams each play their first road games of the season Friday as the Patriots look to build on an impressive season-opening homestand and the Lady Patriots seek a similarly successful start to their 2010-11 campaign.

The CF men, ranked sixth in the FCCAA preseason poll, proved worthy of that top-10 stature with a convincing 83-75 win over No. 7 St. Petersburg on Tuesday. The handling of the rival Titans came just 24 hours after a season-opening 83-65 romp over Aiken Tech.

The Patriots encounter both of those opponents again before returning to their home court Dec. 1. This weekend, CF visits Aiken. S.C., to face homestanding Aiken Tech and USC-Salkehatchie on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The Lady Patriots, meanwhile, take to the home court of Mid-Florida Conference rival Santa Fe for a season-opening invitational in Gainesville. CF face Palm Beach State, the team that ended its 2009-10 season with a state tournament quarterfinal win, on Friday, then take on St. Petersburg on Saturday.

Both CF squads embark on the longest road trip of their season the following week, visiting Twin Falls, Idaho, for invitationals hosted by the College of Southern Idaho.  

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CF Patriots 83, St. Petersburg 75 (MBB)

The Central Florida Patriots proved their mettle against a rugged state-ranked opponent Tuesday night, overcoming a halftime deficit to put away St. Petersburg 83-75.

After muddling through a first half plagued by turnovers and missed open shots, the FCCAA No. 6 Patriots returned from the halftime locker room a dynamic, focused group, quickly building a double-digit lead against the seventh-ranked Titans and cruising to a comfortable victory.

Sophomore forward Mathiang Muo led the second-half charge, knocking down four 3-pointers and scoring all 22 of his points after halftime. Kevin Foster produced his second consecutive 25-point scoring effort and notched his first NJCAA double-double with 12 rebounds, both game-high totals.

CF emerges from its two-day season-opening homestand a confident, undefeated team that should continue to improve as its newly-assembled parts fall into place. That process will have to continue on the road, as the Patriots take to the skies for tournaments in Aiken, S.C., and Twin Falls, Idaho, over the next two weeks. The team's next home game is Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. versus non-NJCAA school IMG Academy.

Find more highlights from Tuesday's game at the CF Patriots YouTube channel: Mathiang Muo's timely 3-pointer, and A.J. Holland's fast-break and-1.

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The Star-Banner's Richard Burton previews the 2010-2011 Lady Patriots. The CF women open their home schedule Nov. 19.

CF Alum Ricardo Ratliffe Honored at Men's Basketball Season Opener Monday

Central Florida Patriots legend Ricardo Ratliffe returned to CF Monday night to see his jersey retired. Coach Tim Ryan, left, and CF President Dr. Charles Dassance participated in the ceremony. (Photo by Thomas Gaines)

The College of Central Florida honored the most accomplished student-athlete in its history on Monday, Nov. 1, as 2009-2010 NJCAA Male Student-Athlete of the Year Ricardo Ratliffe returned to see his No. 20 Patriots jersey retired. The ceremony took place at halftime of the opener of the 2010-2011 CF men's basketball season, an 83-65 Patriots victory over Aiken Tech.

CF Patriots 83, Aiken Tech 65 (MBB)



Patriots center Alhaji Fullah throws down a dunk in CF's win over Aiken Tech. (Photo by Thomas Gaines)

 With school legend Ricardo Ratliffe in town for a final send-off, the 2010-2011 Central Florida Patriots took an impressive first step toward building their own legacy.

Sophomore forward Kevin Foster piled up a game-high 25 points and 8 rebounds as the Patriots hammered visiting Aiken Tech 83-65, giving a hyped-up CF home crowd a proper introduction to a new era of Patriots hoops.

Foster, a gifted scorer spending his sophomore season at CF after spending his freshman year at George Mason University, lived up to his Division I pedigree with a consistently dominant performance. He made 6 of 7 field goal attempts, including his only shot from 3-point range, and converted 12 of 14 free throws in a remarkably efficient effort.

Foster's monster debut spearheaded a balanced attack that saw eight CF players contribue at least 5 points. Guard A.J. Holland (12 points) and returning sophomore wing Slobodan Miljanic (10 points) joined Foster in double figures.

The Patriots also fared well defensively, holding the Knights to 36 percent shooting in the first half and 42 percent for the game, and on the boards, earning a 37-24 overall rebounding edge and collecting 14 offensive rebounds.

CF has a quick turnaround for its next game as formidable in-state rival St. Petersburg visits at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. The Patriots are ranked sixth in the FCCAA preseason poll, with the Titans right on their tail at No. 7.

Visit the CF Patriots YouTube channel for highlights of the victory: A.J. Holland's coast-to-coast layup and Slobodan Miljanic's tough drive to the hoop.

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