Jan. 30, 2002
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This Week Santa Clara returns home to close out the first half of West Coast Conference play. The two contests will almost be home games for the visitors as well, as both league opponents also call the Bay Area home. The Broncos' undefeated mark at the Leavey Center, fan-friendly atmosphere and those crazy Ruff Riders will be tough to overcome for Saint Mary's on Thursday and San Francisco on Saturday. Both contests are slated to begin at 7 p.m. The game vs. the Gaels will honor the Ruff Riders while Saturday's event includes a special deal for our future Broncos: $2 admission if a youth arrives wearing a jersey.
Live on the Internet Santa Clara's league contests can be heard on a live Internet audio broadcast on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Additionally, all home contests can be followed online with a live statistical tracker, also located on Santa Clara's official athletic website. By logging on, fans can receive real-time updated statistics direct from the official scoring computer allowing users to listen to the audio broadcast and keep up with the statistics simultaneously. The features were introduced midway through last season and have been enjoyed for the team's entire regular season home schedule. Anthony Passarelli begins his first season as the voice of the Broncos.
Among the Best in the Nation Santa Clara is tied for 19th nationally in free throw percentage (.751), 23rd in three-point field goals per game (6.9), ranked 26th in three -point field goal percentage (.391) and ranked 34th in scoring offense (75.4). Individually, Becki Ashbaugh is ranked 24th in assists per game (6.1) and 27th in free throw percentage (86.8).
Scouting the Saint Mary's Gaels
Series Record: SCU leads 23-15
First Game: Santa Clara won 75-32 on Jan. 6, 1979 in Santa Clara
Last Game: Saint Mary's won 70-61 on Feb. 17, 2001 in Santa Clara
Largest SCU Margin of Victory: 43 on Jan. 6, 1979 (75-32) in Santa Clara
Largest SMC Margin of Victory: 26 on Jan. 20, 1989 (90-64) in Moraga
SMC Record in 2000-2001: 26-6, (11-3, t-1st in West Coast Conference)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Notable: Saint Mary's is 10-8 overall and tied for second place with the Broncos in the WCC at 4-2... the team is dominated by the Dosty Twins, Jermisha and Jerkisha, in the front court... Jermisha has posted 10 double-doubles this season... the Gaels tied the Broncos for last year's regular season championship and won the tournament to advance to the NCAA postseason.
Scouting the San Francisco Dons
Series Record: SCU leads 30-28
First Game: Santa Clara won 47-23 in 1964-65
Last Game: Santa Clara won 66-52 on Feb. 15, 2001 in Santa Clara
Largest SCU Margin of Victory: 27, on Feb. 3, 1999 (91-64) in San Francisco
Largest USF Margin of Victory: 37 on Dec. 1, 1979 (74-37) in San Francisco
USF Record in 2000-2001: 13-16, (5-9, t-5th in West Coast Conference)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Notable: San Francisco is 11-8 and tied for fourth place in the league with a 3-3 mark... senior guard Lindsey Huff is nearing 1,000 career points and needs 14 more to reach the milestone... she would be the 14th Lady Don to do so... in a role reversal last year, Bronco senior forward Annie Garrison scored her 1,000th career point at San Francisco.
Spreading the Bronco Offense Three Bronco players are currently averaging at least 10 points per contest thus far in the season. Junior forward Tammy Annas leads the team with a 11.2 ppg average. Fellow junior forward Julie Butler is right behind her with a 10.7 mark, while senior guard Becki Ashbaugh has a 10.3 average. Senior guard Caroline Gruening is close, with a 9.9 season mark. As a team, the Broncos are averaging 75.4 points per game to lead the league.
Protecting the Home Court Santa Clara is the only league team undefeated at home this season. The Broncos boast an 8-0 record at the Leavey Center. SCU will put its win streak on the line again this weekend when it hosts Saint Mary's and USF.
In the WCC Statistics Santa Clara leads the league in four categories: scoring offense (75.4 ppg), scoring margin (+9.7), field goal percentage (.436) and rebounding defense (+36.4). The Broncos are second in three-point field goal percentages (.378), free throw percentages (.751) and assists (17.32). Individually, Becki Ashbaugh is tops in assists (6.05) and free throw percentage (.868). Caroline Gruening is second in three-point percentage (.446) and fifth in three-point field goals made (1.95). Kendra Rhea is ranked sixth in rebounds (6.5) while Julie Butler is 10th at 5.8.
Up Next: Continuing Conference Play Santa Clara begins the second half of conference play with contests at Portland and Gonzaga. The Broncos defeated both teams to open league play in January.
Game Tickets On Sale Individual game tickets for Santa Clara's four remaining home contests are on sale through the school's official website www.SantaClaraBroncos.com and the athletic ticket office at 408-554-4660. In conjunction with Student Advantage's FANSonly Network, the athletic department has developed an online ticket application that provides fans with the ability to purchase season tickets, family plans, individual games or an all-sports pass via the official athletic website. Tickets are also available through the athletic ticket office, open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The WCC Basketball Championship For the second consecutive year, the Broncos will have to travel for the chance at the league title. Last season, the West Coast Conference left the Mission Campus for the first time in three years to host its annual basketball showcase, as the 2001 WCC Women's Basketball Championships took place last March at San Diego's Jenny Craig Pavilion. Renovations to the Leavey Center prompted the change in venue, but the Toreros did such a good job hosting, the 2002 tournament is returning to the JCP. The tournament will take place February 28 through March 4, with the women's semifinal games beginning March 1 at 6 p.m., with the championship slated for a 2:30 p.m. start on March 3. The title contest will air live on Fox Sports West, KRON and Action Sports. Santa Clara is offering a Super Pass that will allow admission to all the men's and women's games with seating located in the Broncos' section for $65. Please visit www.SantaClaraBroncos.com or call 408-554-4660 to order tickets.