Jan. 11, 2006

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Fresh off of a thrilling 74-73 comeback win over Portland that featured a pair of career performances, the Santa Clara women's basketball team will return home to the familiar confines of the Leavey Center to open their home conference schedule. The Broncos (7-8, 1-1 WCC) will host the University of San Diego Toreros (5-10, 0-2 WCC) Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

Ashley Graham helped spark Santa Clara's comeback from an 18-point first-half deficit with a career-high 33-point game, which featured her cashing in on 9-of-13 three point attempts, tying the WCC record for threes made in a game. As a team, the Broncos made an astounding 18 three-pointers to shoot the Pilots down and set another new WCC mark.

After posting six double-doubles already on the season prior to last Sunday's game at Portland, Michelle Cozad upped the ante by turning in the first triple-double performance of her career. Cozad finished the contest with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists to do her part in the comeback.

Saturday's contest is an opportunity for SCU to not only get its second win of the WCC season, but also to get back to the .500 mark overall. With Cozad continuing to lead the conference in scoring (18.0 ppg), rebounding (9.8 rpg) and three-pointers made (44) and players like Graham (51.5% three-point accuracy, 2nd in the nation), Chandice Cronk (WCC-best 90.9% free-throw shooting) and Tracey Walker (8.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg) stepping up at opportune times, Santa Clara has a golden chance to get off to a fast start in conference play.

Forwards Claire Goins and Kasey Monteith also played a role underneath in the comeback win. Goins made her first start of the season against the Pilots and is shooting 71.4% from the floor while Monteith grabbed six rebounds off the bench to help the Broncos out-rebound the Pilots by a 39-33 margin.

The Toreros, meanwhile, are still seeking their first conference win of the season after being swept by the rest of the WCC's Southern California contingent last weekend, 70-57 at Loyola Marymount and 84-61 at Pepperdine. USD is led by the 10.9 points and 3.3 rebounds a game of Tiara Harris, and the play of Ashley Voisinet, who leads the Toreros with 6.0 rebounds a game.

Saturday's game is set to tip-off at 2 p.m. and tickets are available by calling (408) 554-4660.