USC-Salkehatchie 68, CF Patriots 65 (MBB)

Central Florida closed out the 2010 calendar year with a 68-65 home loss to USC-Salkehatchie.

Hunter Williams led the Patriots in scoring with 16 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Kevin Foster added 13 points and 15 rebounds, while Addison Smith reached double figures with 11.

CF hosts TAAG Academy in its final non-conference game on Sunday.

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CF Lady Patriots 63, Tallahassee 52 (WBB)

Central Florida scored its signature women's basketball win of the season on Saturday, knocking off FCCAA No. 2 and NJCAA No. 13 Tallahassee 63-52 at Panama City.

The sixth-ranked Lady Patriots handed the Lady Eagles just their second loss of the season while improving their own record to 10-6. CF outscored TCC 34-24 after halftime to secure the victory.

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Chipola 72, CF Lady Patriots 63 (WBB)

Moniqua Darby's game-high 28 points weren't enough as Central Florida fell to Chipola 72-63 on Friday in Panama City.

CF (9-6) faces Tallahassee on Sunday to wrap up its 2010 schedule.

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CF Patriots 91, Hillsborough 56 (MBB)

The streaking Central Florida men's basketball team won its ninth consecutive game Thursday night, easily handling Hillsborough 91-56.

The third-ranked Patriots (13-3) are undefeated both at home and within the state of Florida: their first loss came in South Carolina, the other two in Idaho. CF is off until Dec. 31, when it hosts USC-Salkehatchie at 4 p.m.

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Video: The Fastest 40 with Ricardo Ratliffe

CF Patriots 99, IMG Academy 46 (MBB)

Central Florida continued its recent tear Wednesday night with an emphatic 99-46 victory over non-NJCAA opponent IMG Academy.

Every active player scored for the home team as the third-ranked Patriots improved to 12-3. Slobodan Miljanic stroked 6 three-pointers in 7 attempts en route to a game-high 21-point effort, while center Alhaji Fullah chipped in 14 points and 5 blocks.

CF hosts Hillsborough on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.

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Patriots Rocket Three Spots Up FCCAA Top 10, Now Ranked Third in State

Central Florida's obliteration of nationally-ranked Tallahassee on Sunday has had the expected effect on its status in the FCCAA rankings.

CF, 11-3 and coming off consecutive wins over top-10 teams in Miami-Dade and Tallahassee, soared from No. 6 to No. 3 in the latest edition of the weekly coaches' poll, leapfrogging not only the two foes it vanquished over the weekend but also perennial powerhouse Chipola.

CF Alum Travis Johnson Finding Niche at NCAA Level

Just as he did in two standout seasons at Central Florida, former Patriot guard Travis Johnson is making a positive impact on his new four-year program.

A Gainesville native, Johnson spent a year as a practice player for the Patriots before graduating to the big squad. He carved out a significant role for himself as a freshman, earning 28 starts for a team that won the Mid-Florida Conference championship and reached the semifinal round of the state tournament.

He added a deadly outside shot to his game in the summer leading up to his sophomore season, and the results were remarkable. Johnson's three-point shooting percentage skyrocketed from 33 to 43 percent, while his scoring average moved into double figures, jumping from 4.3 to 10.8 points per game. He was honored after the season with the team's Patriot Award, presented to the player from each CF team that best embodies the ideals of teamwork, commitment and dedication.

With an accomplished floor game, a blossoming long-distance touch, a proven team-first approach and experience playing with and against some of nation's premier two-year players, the 6-1 guard fielded a number of offers from four-year programs when his CF career reached its conclusion.

Johnson chose Division II school West Virginia Wesleyan, becoming the first signing for incoming coach and former NBA scout Jeff Price, and he's quickly adapted to the NCAA level to earn a significant role with the Bobcats. Through five games, Johnson is averaging 7 points per game in 21 minutes. More importantly, WVWC is erasing memories of its 8-21 record in 2009-10 with a strong 3-2 start, including a 73-71 upset over nationally-ranked Indiana, Pa., on Dec. 7. 

Just three years ago, Johnson was scrimmaging with the Patriots in practice and sitting out game nights, waiting for his opportunity. Today, he's at the forefront as an NCAA program crafts a new winning culture. Once again, Johnson is proving the value of teamwork, commitment and dedication.  

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CF Patriots 84, Tallahassee 48 (MBB)

The fourth-ranked team in the state of Florida never had a chance.

A passionate Central Florida Patriots team blindsided nationally-ranked visitors Tallahassee on Sunday night, wrapping up the Men's Florida College Shootout with a dominant 84-48 win that should send the sixth-ranked Patriots' FCCAA stock soaring.

Tallahassee entered the game boasting a No. 23 ranking in the NJCAA Top 25 but were never competitive Sunday, falling behind by double digits in the opening two minutes. The Patriots relentlessly built their lead to 53-21 at the break, shooting 68 percent from the field while allowing just six Eagles field goals on 27 shots. The home team's advantage grew as high as 43 in the second half as CF's bench continued the carnage.

Twelve Patriots scored in the rout, led by Mathiang Muo's 21 points. The sophomore forward continued his strong recent play with a near-perfect shooting night, making all 4 of his free throws, all 3 of his three-pointers and all but one of his 8 attempts from the field overall.

Slobodan Miljanic added 17 points - including this highlight from the CF Patriots YouTube channel - and Kevin Foster scored 11 to join Muo in double figures.

CF (11-3) hosts IMG Academy on Wednesday and Hillsborough on Thursday. Both games tip at 7:30 pm.

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CF Patriots 86, Miami-Dade 79 (MBB)

Central Florida turned in one of its finest all-around efforts of the season on Saturday, using a second-half onslaught to knock off No. 5 Miami-Dade 86-79.

(Note: DJ Terrah of Ocala/Gainesville radio station Magic 101.3 served as live DJ for Saturday's CF game, and will again Sunday night as the Patriots face Tallahassee. Plan to arrive 20 minutes prior to the game's scheduled 8 pm tip-off to catch Terrah's full set.)

The sixth-ranked Patriots placed four players in double figures, led by Kevin Foster's efficient 23-point effort on 8-for-12 shooting. Mathiang Muo added 17 points, including 3 three-pointers, Hunter Williams had 15 and Slobodan Miljanic chipped in 14.

Click here to watch one of Muo's crucial second-half three-pointers on the CF Patriots YouTube channel. Better yet, watch Panhandle Broadcasting's entire webcast of the game, featuring commentary by former Patriots coach Gene Smithson, right here (link will open Windows Media Player).

A Dade buzzer-beating three-pointer cut the Patriots' lead to a single point at the break, but the home team simply shook it off, scoring the first six points after halftime and building a 16-point lead by the midway point of the second half.

CF faces another ranked foe Sunday in No. 4 Tallahassee as the two-day Men's Florida College Shootout continues. Tickets are just $10 for the full day of action, or $3 for just CF's game. As always, CF students, faculty and staff are offered free admission. Sunday's full schedule:

• Noon: State College of Florida vs. Pasco-Hernando
• 2 pm: Hillsborough vs. Brevard
• 4 pm: Miami-Dade vs. Gulf Coast
• 6 pm: Indian River vs. Daytona State
• 8 pm: Central Florida vs. Tallahassee  

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CF Lady Patriots 66, Brevard Blaze 52 (WBB)

The Central Florida women's basketball team handled non-NJCAA opponent Brevard Blaze on Saturday, deploying a balanced scoring attack in a comfortable 66-52 victory at Melbourne.

Moniqua Darby scored 16 points, Yasmeen Thompson had 13 and Quinnecia Twine added 11 for the Lady Patriots, who improve to 9-5 with the win. CF travels to Panama City next weekend for games against tough Panhandle opponents Chipola and Northwest Florida State.

Saturday's scheduled opponent, Northwest Oklahoma State, backed out of the Brevard Community College-hosted tournament, leaving CF to face the last-minute replacement.

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Watch the Men's Florida College Shootout Live Online

Introducing a new way to follow the Patriots: PSB Live is on hand at College of Central Florida to broadcast all 10 games of this weekend's Men's Florida College Shootout, including the Patriots' games at 8 pm Saturday and Sunday.

Click right here to follow all of this weekend's action live online.

Patriots Host Men's Florida College Shootout

The centerpiece of Central Florida's non-conference men's basketball schedule finally arrives this weekend as CF hosts the ninth annual Men's Florida College Shootout.

The two-day, 20-team Shootout is held annually at CF and Santa Fe College, with 10 in-state teams competing at each site and scouts and coaches from NCAA schools across the country shuttling between the two locations to evaluate the talent on display. Last year's event attracted representatives from no less than 30 four-year athletics programs.

While the weekend is designed to help players' future prospects, there's also plenty to play for in the here and now. CF, ranked sixth in the state, takes on a pair of higher-ranked schools in its 8 p.m. games on Saturday and Sunday. No. 5 Miami-Dade faces the Patriots on Saturday, while the Shootout wraps up Sunday night with perhaps the best game of the weekend as familiar rival Tallahassee, sporting a No. 4 state ranking and No. 23 spot in the NJCAA Top 25, takes on the home team.

Tickets are $10 per day to catch all the action, and start at $2 for admission to CF's game only. The full schedule:

SaturdayNoon: Daytona State vs. Hillsborough

2 pm: Pasco-Hernando vs. Indian River

4 pm: Tallahassee vs. State College of Florida

6 pm: Gulf Coast vs. Brevard

8 pm: Central Florida vs. Miami-Dade

Sunday

Noon: State College of Florida vs. Pasco-Hernando

2 pm: Hillsborough vs. Brevard

4 pm: Miami-Dade vs. Gulf Coast

6 pm: Indian River vs. Daytona State

8 pm: Central Florida vs. Tallahassee

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Chipola 64, CF Lady Patriots 57 (WBB)

The Central Florida women's basketball team took a tough neutral-court loss Friday night in Melbourne, falling to Chipola 64-57.

Quinnecia Twine and Charo Fowler scored 14 points apiece to lead the Lady Patriot offense.

CF (8-5) wraps up its visit to Melbourne on Saturday against Northwest Oklahoma State. Their difficult non-conference schedule continues next weekend in Panama City, where they'll get rematches with Panhandle powers Chipola and Northwest Florida State.

CF Patriots 95, Tampa Swish 71 (MBB)

CF defeated non-NJCAA opponent Tampa Swish on Thursday night 95-71. Brian Pace scored 17 points to pace the Patriots, who improve to 9-3 entering this weekend's Men's Florida College Shootout.

CF Softball's Baker, Anderson Featured in Family Times Magazine

Central Florida sophomores Brittany Baker and Miranda Anderson are featured in the December/January edition of Family Times Magazine. Free copies are available at a number of sites throughout the community, including the CF gymnasium; you can also browse the digital version.

CF Alum Ricardo Ratliffe Earns Second Straight Big 12 Rookie Honor

Former Central Florida Patriots star and Missouri junior Ricardo Ratliffe earned his second consecutive Big 12 Conference Rookie of the Week honor on Monday. From the press release:

Ratliffe averaged 15.5 points and 5.0 rebounds in the Tigers' two games. The junior forward started with a career-high 22 points against Georgetown to go along with seven rebounds. He was 9-of-16 (.563) from the floor in that contest. He then posted 11 points in the win at Oregon, missing just one shot (5-of-6) and adding four blocks. He shot 63.6 percent (14-of-22) on the week and made 5-of-6 (.833) from the free throw line. Ratliffe has shot 50 percent or better in each of his last three outings and in six of seven games overall in 2010-11.

CF Lady Patriots 63, Brevard 57 (WBB)

The Central Florida women's basketball team bounced back into the win column on Saturday, knocking off Brevard 63-57 to wrap up the Women's Florida College Shootout.

Point guard Janay Borum, who entered the weekend leading the state in assists at 6.5 per game, collected 5 more on Saturday while also pacing the Lady Patriots in scoring with 16 points.

With the win, CF (8-4) completed a sweep of its two-game season series with Brevard. CF won 71-55 on Nov. 21, also in Ocala. 

The Lady Patriots travel to Melbourne next week, where they'll face Panhandle power Chipola on Friday and Northern Oklahoma State on Saturday. Saturday's game was the team's final home game of the calendar year; they'll take to their home court again on January 1 versus Northwest Florida State.

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CF Patriots 85, Polk State 76 (MBB)

Central Florida sophomore Kevin Foster made a triumphant return to his prep stomping grounds on Saturday, scoring 20 points to lead the Patriots to an 85-76 victory over Polk State.

Foster put on the kind of offensive exhibition that once made him an all-state performer at Lakeland Kathleen High School, making 8 of 12 attempts from the field and 2 of 4 from three-point range. He had ample help from fellow Division I transfer Mathiang Muo, who added 18 points and 6 rebounds, and guards Hunter Williams and Slobodan Miljanic, who contributed 14 points apiece.

With the victory, CF completed a perfect three-game tour of Suncoast Conference schools, an impressive stretch that also featured wins at St. Petersburg and Hillsborough. The FCCAA No. 8 Patriots (8-3) welcome non-NJCAA opponent Tampa Swish to Ocala on Thursday, then host the annual Men's Florida College Shootout next weekend.

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Pensacola State 88, CF Lady Patriots 50 (WBB)

The nation's top-ranked team played like it on Friday night as NJCAA No. 1 Pensacola State handed Central Florida an 88-50 loss on the first night of the Women's Florida College Shootout.

Quinnecia Twine scored 10 points for CF, which fell to 7-4 overall and suffered its first home loss in four games this season.

CF wraps up the two-day Shootout on Saturday night at 7 pm, facing Brevard. Tickets are $10 for all four games, starting with Tallahassee v. Palm Beach at 1 pm, continuing with Northwest Florida v. Indian River at 3 pm and FSC-Jacksonville v. Pensacola at 5 pm, and concluding with CF's final home game of the calendar year.

Lady Patriots Host Women's Florida College Shootout

College of Central Florida serves as a host of one of the state's premier women's college basketball showcases this weekend, teaming with Santa Fe College to host the Fourth Annual Women's Florida College Shootout.

The tournament consists of 16 state college teams from throughout Florida, eight apiece competing at Ocala and Gainesville, and annually attracts many upper-division coaches who attend to scout the talented student athletes.

The 7-3 Lady Patriots look to end a two-game losing streak on Friday, but the opponent couldn't be more formidable. The opening day's nightcap pits homestanding CF against Pensacola State, the top-ranked team in the state and the nation. The 10-0 Lady Pirates boast a startling amount of size and skill, but the Lady Patriots should be anxious for redemption after dropping two games in Niceville last weekend and sitting idle for the week since. CF has defended its home court well, also, recording three wins in as many tries, all coming in the home-opening three-day weekend of Nov. 19.

Tickets are $10 for each day's set of four games. Here's the full schedule:

Friday

1 pm: Palm Beach vs. FSC-Jacksonville

3 pm: Brevard vs. Northwest Florida

5 pm: Indian River vs. Tallahassee

7 pm: Pensacola vs. Central Florida

Saturday

1 pm: Tallahassee vs. Palm Beach

3 pm: Northwest Florida vs. Indian River

5 pm: FSC-Jacksonville vs. Pensacola

7 pm: Central Florida vs. Brevard.

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CF Patriots 102, IMG Academy 49 (MBB)

Central Florida enjoyed a successful return to its home court on Wednesday, blasting non-NJCAA opponent IMG Academy 102-49.

CF (7-3) did much of its damage from long distance, cashing in 14 of 27 attempts from three-point range. Sophomore Mathiang Muo's 4 three-pointers comprised the bulk of his 16 points, while Kevin Foster's 17-point, 9-rebound effort included 3 three-point buckets. Brian Pace scored 16 and Slobodan Miljanic 11 as the Patriots placed four players in double figures.

The Patriots take to the road again Saturday with a visit to Polk State, then settle in for a season-long seven-game homestand. The stretch begins Dec. 9 against Tampa Swish, continues with the annual Shootout the weekend of Dec. 11, and takes CF into 2011 with a Jan. 2 game versus TAAG Academy. That's the final non-conference game of the team's season, as its Mid-Florida Conference slate begins Jan. 5 in Gainesville against rival Santa Fe.

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CF Alum Ricardo Ratliffe Scores 22 Points Against Georgetown

Central Florida Patriots career points leader Ricardo Ratliffe turned in the highest-scoring game of his young NCAA career on Tuesday, totalling 22 points on 9-for-16 shooting in Missouri's 111-102 overtime loss to Georgetown. The junior power forward earned the start and played 42 minutes.