March 11, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Senior forward Jen Gottschalk received her first West Coast Conference All-Tournament team honor, it was announced Sunday at the conclusion of the championship game. She is joined by MVP Amanda Rego (USD), Morgan Henderson (USD), Heather Bowman (GON) and Courtney Vandersloot (GON) on the list.
The honor is Gottschalk's third from the conference this season and fourth in her career. She received Player of the Week honors in December and was selected to the 2007-08 All-WCC team. Last season, she was an all-league honorable mention.
Gottschalk played an integral role in the Broncos victory over San Francisco in the first round of the 2008 WCC Championship. The Littleton, Colo. native registered a career-high 31 points and a game-high eight rebounds. Santa Clara, who trailed during the entire first half and the majority of the second half, came within one point of USF, 77-76, on free throws made by Gottschalk. It was also Gottschalk's sense of the court that found a wide opened Maggie Goldenberger under the basket for a layup to give Santa Clara their first lead of the contest, 80-79.
Despite the loss to San Diego in the semifinals, Gottschalk registered her 12th double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds. She also dished out four assists. Her efforts helped keep the Broncos alive late in the contest. A layup with about two minutes to play gave Santa Clara a 66-63 lead before San Diego rallied to the win.
On the season, Gottschalk averages 16.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, while tallying 54 steals, 16 blocks and 73 assists. She also compiled a team-best 48.2 field goal percentage.
The Broncos await their postseason fate as brackets for both the NCAA and WNIT tournaments will be announced on Monday, March 17.