Dec. 29, 2001
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Reserve junior forward Courtney Cushing led the Santa Clara University women's basketball team to its sixth straight victory, this one a 103-58 win over CS Northridge in non-conference this afternoon at the Leavey Center. The Broncos' score marked only the third time in program history the team has surpassed the century mark.
Cushing posted a career-high 14 points to improve Santa Clara to 10-2 on the season. The Matadors' Jenny Shetters led all scorers with 20 points, but CSUN remained winless at 0-9. The 45-point victory was the third largest home margin in SCU history--and eighth overall--tying the 1990-91 season-opener against Northeast Illinois (98-43).
Senior guard Caroline Gruening started the scoring for the Broncos with a three-pointer from the far side. SCU opened an 11-point lead with another shot from behind the arc, this time from junior forward Tammy Annas. The Broncos then went on a 13-0 run for a 39-18 lead midway through the period, sparked by five points from freshman guard Kayla Huss, who scored consecutive baskets with a drive and a three-pointer. Junior forward Kendra Rhea's putback forced a Matador timeout with the Broncos leading by 19. Santa Clara held CSN to only one basket in the final eight minutes of the first half.
Gruening and Ashbaugh finished with 13 points each to lead the Bronco backcourt, while freshman forward Kim Butler made her first collegiate start and finished with 12 points to round out SCU's double-figure scorers. Junior forward Julie Butler pulled down a game-high six rebounds before fouling out with just four minutes left in the contest.
Santa Clara returns to action after the New Year and travels to Fort Worth, Texas for a January 3 contest against TCU. The action will begin at 5 p.m. Pacific Time and can be heard live on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
