Jan. 27, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's basketball team travels back to Southern California this week looking for its first West Coast Conference win as the Broncos take on the Lions of Loyola Marymount and the Waves of Pepperdine.
SCU and LMU tip-off at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29 at Gersten Pavilion. The Broncos and Waves then battle on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. at Firestone Fieldhouse.
Last Time Out
In yet another close conference battle, SCU was edged 48-45 by USF last weekend. The Broncos led by seven, 23-16, at the end of the first half and climbed to a 31-20 lead in the second half, before the Dons produced a 13-0 run to take control of the scoreboard. Santa Clara tied the game, 45-45, with about 42 seconds to play, but free throws gave USF the win.
Follow Your Broncos Online
Fans cans listen to both of the games this weekend via Bronco All-Access as Sam Farber will be calling the play-by-play action on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. LMU will be providing live stats and live video via www.LMULions.com, as will Pepperdine through www.pepperdinesports.com.
Bronco Watch
SCU heads into the weekend with a 2-18 overall record and a 0-5 WCC record. Lena Gipson is the only Bronco averaging double-figure points and rebounds with 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. She also had a team-best 48.8 field goal percentage. Elizabeth Doran leads from behind the arc and at the charity stripe with a 32.2 3FG percentage and an 87.0 free throw percentage. Sara Majors has dished out 58 assists and is second on the team with 6.6 rebounds per game, while Gipson leads with 12 blocks and 30 steals.
Holding Strong
The Broncos held onto its No. 7 ranking in the nation 3FG defense this week. SCU has held its opponents to a .252 three-point field goal percentage. Santa Clara is also moved up to No. 69 in field goal defense, holding its opponents to a 37.1 percentage.
15 Straight For Doran
It has been 16 straight games in which Doran has sunk at least one three-pointer. She had three against San Francisco last Saturday. The run started on Nov. 26 against Florida Gulf Coast and has reached a tally of 36. She has 39 3FGs on the season. Santa Clara has 87 three-pointers thus far.
Double Trouble
Sophomore Gipson is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging a double-double of 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. She has compiled double-digit scoring performances in 17 of the Broncos' 20 games and has had a double-double in 14 of SCU's 20 games. This week she ranks No. 17 in rebounds per game and No. 72 in field goal percentage (48.8).
Off The Boards
For the eighth straight week, Gipson leads the West Coast Conference in rebounds. She averages a league-best 10.2 per game. She ranks No. 1 in rebounds and No. 1 in defensive rebounds with 7.30 per game.
In The WCC
In conference games only, the Broncos continue to lead the conference 3FG% defense (.197). SCU is also second in 3FG% and FG% defense and third in scoring defense and defensive rebounds. Individually, Alyssa Shoji leads in 3FG%, while Rhianna Faithfull is No. 7 and Doran is No. 10. Doran is also tied for No. 2 in 3FG made and Faithfull is tied for No. 6 in assists. Gipson is No. 3 in rebounding and No. 8 in scoring, while Majors is tied for No. 4 in rebounding.
Bronco Blogging
Fans can get an insiders look at the SCU Women's Basketball season via a weekly blog feature on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Seniors Doran and Majors will blog about the preseason and in season antics of the Broncos, while junior Kimee Goeggel will cover the after the season happenings.
Scouting Loyola Marymount
The Lions enter the week with a 13-6 overall record and a 3-2 WCC record. Last weekend, LMU defeated Portland but fell to Gonzaga. Cassady Moore averaged 16.0 points per game. LIONS TO WATCH: Renahy Young - 15.3 ppg; Alex Cowling - 12.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg; Moore - 11.4 ppg, 51 stl; Aleyse Evans - 8.5 rpg, 27 blk.
Last Time vs. LMU
The Broncos won both meetings with the Lions last season. The 81-57 win on the road marked the first time SCU defeated LMU on the road since the 2002-03 season. Santa Clara then edged LMU 49-48 at the Leavey Center on a layup from Tracey Walker.
All-Time vs. LMU
Thursday's game marks the 53rd meeting of the series that Santa Clara leads 39-13. However, in the last 10 meetings, the series is split 5-5.
Scouting Pepperdine
The Waves enter the weekend with a 9-10 overall record and a 2-3 WCC mark. Pepperdine dropped both its games last weekend to Gonzaga and Portland. Against the Pilots, Jazmine Jackson had 14 points and seven rebounds as the team was edged 59-56. WAVES TO WATCH: Miranda Ayim - 11.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 31 stl, 20 blk; Katie Menton - 10.7 ppg.
Last Time vs. Pepperdine
The Broncos won both meetings with the Waves last season. The first was a 71-66 triumph in Malibu and the second was an 86-81 overtime win at the Leavey Center.
All-Time vs. Pepperdine
Saturday's game marks the 56th meeting of the two programs in a series Santa Clara leads 30-25.
On Deck
Santa Clara splits its time next week as it enters the second half of WCC play. The Broncos host the Toreros of San Diego on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., and then travel to Moraga to battle the Gaels of Saint Mary's on Saturday, Feb. 7 at 2 p.m.