Nov. 8, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's basketball team opens the 2007-08 season on the road against Nevada this week. The Broncos travel to Reno, Nev., for a 7 p.m. game Friday. SCU continues action on the road as it makes its way to Pullman, Wash., to battle the Cougars of Washington State on Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.
"We are looking forward to and are excited for the upcoming season," said head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "My coaching staff and players have worked extremely hard in the preseason to prepared ourselves for the challenges this season will present."
Last Week for the Broncos
Santa Clara went 2-0 in preseason exhibition games this season, posting wins over Cal State Monterey Bay and San Francisco State.
Elizabeth Doran led the Broncos with a .778 field goal percentage and 34 points. Senior Jen Gottschalk collected 17 rebounds and 33 points, while senior Tracey Walker dished out 11 assists and tallied 32 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Sara Majors was the Broncos rebounding leader in the exhibition games, averaging 10.0 per game.
Last Season for the Broncos
SCU ended last season with a 13-17 overall record and a 5-9 West Coast Conference mark. The Broncos saw action in the first round of the conference tournament, but feel to Loyola Marymount, 65-49. Guard Chandice Cronk and forward Gottschalk received All-WCC accolades, while Cronk set a new conference and Santa Clara record for three-pointers made in a single season (94). The Broncos also led the nation in treys for the second year in a row.
Scouting Nevada
The Wolf Pack opens their season returning three of their five starters and 11 letterwinners from last year. Nevada finished the year with a 17-15 overall record, a third place Western Athletic Conference finish and a WNIT appearance.
Picked to finish second in the WAC this year, Dellena Criner is one of Nevada's top returning players. As a sophomore, she earned All-WAC first team and all-defensive team honors and led the team in points per game (14.6), steals (87), assists (77) and minutes played per game (31.1). Junior Brandi Fitzgerald is another Wolf Pack standout who finished the season second on the team in rebounds (137).
All-Time vs. Nevada
Santa Clara owns a 12-9 all-time record against the Wolf Pack and has won the last six of seven meetings. This will be the first time since the 1988-89 season that the Broncos will travel to Reno for the contest.
Scouting Washington State
The Cougars will host the Pilots of Portland on Friday before facing the Broncos on Tuesday. Washington State enters the new year after a 5-24 overall season and a 1-17 Pacific-10 finish in 2006-07.
Picked to finish 10th in the league, Katie Appleton is one of the Cougars' top returning players. As a sophomore she was the Cougar's second leading scoring with 8.1 points per game and ld the team with 76 assists.
All-Time vs. Washington State
Tuesday's contest is the seventh meeting of the Broncos and Cougars. The all-time series record is tied 3-3, with Santa Clara winning the last two meetings.
On Deck
It will be a battle of the Broncos on Saturday, Nov. 17 as Santa Clara opens its home schedule against Boise State. Tip off is schedule for 7 p.m. at the Leavey Center. For ticket information, call 408-554-4660 or visit SantaClaraBroncos.com.