Feb. 3, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's basketball team heads into the second half of West Coast Conference play this week. The Broncos host the Toreros of San Diego on Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., and then travel to Saint Mary's on Saturday, Feb. 7 for a 2 p.m. tip-off.
Last Time Out
For the third straight game, it came down to three points as the Broncos fell 51-48 at Pepperdine on Saturday. The Broncos went 0-2 while in Southern California, falling 59-56 at Loyola Marymount on Thursday. The Broncos held the lead for the sixth time of the season going into halftime against the Lions, but LMU rallied in the second half to take away a 59-56 win. Against Pepperdine, SCU trailed by 10-points at halftime, 25-15, and fought hard in the second half to knot the score, 44-44, with 3:57 to play. However, the Waves reclaimed the lead and won the game, 51-48.
Follow Your Broncos Online
Fans cans listen and watch Thursday's game via Bronco All-Access as Sam Farber will be calling the play-by-play action on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. For Saturday's contest, Saint Mary's will offer live stats at www.SMCGaels.com.
Bronco Watch
SCU beings the final stretch with a 2-20 overall record and a 0-7 WCC mark. Lena Gipson is the only Bronco averaging double-figure points and rebounds with 13.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. She also had a team-best 49.3 field goal percentage. Elizabeth Doran leads from behind the arc and at the charity stripe with a 31.6 3FG percentage and an 87.0 free throw percentage. Sara Majors has dished out 64 assists and is second on the team with 6.6 rebounds per game, while Gipson leads with 14 blocks and 30 steals.
Movin' On Up
The Broncos climbed on spot this week to a No. 6 ranking in the nation 3FG defense this week. SCU has held its opponents to a .250 three-point field goal percentage. Santa Clara is also moved up to No. 60 in field goal defense, holding its opponents to a 36.9 percentage.
Doran's Streak Ends
The senior compiled a 17 game streak in which she sunk at least one three-pointer. It was just four games shy of her personal-best 21-game streak that she produced in 2007-08. Against LMU on Thursday, she tied her career-high four 3FGs. The run started on Nov. 26 against Florida Gulf Coast and has reached a tally of 40. She has 43 3FGs on the season. Santa Clara has 95 three-pointers thus far.
Double Trouble
Sophomore Gipson is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging a double-double of 13.5 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. She has compiled double-digit scoring performances in 19 of the Broncos' 22 games and has had a double-double in 15 of SCU's 22 games. This week she moved up to a No. 15 rank nationally in rebounds per game and No. 68 in field goal percentage (49.3%).
Off The Boards
For the ninth 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 7.36 per game.
In The WCC
Overall, the Broncos lead the WCC in field goal percentage defense, three-point field goal percentage defense and rebounding defense. In conference games only, the SCU continues to lead the conference FG% defense (.337) and 3FG% defense (.219). SCU is also second in rebounding defense and 3FG%, and third in scoring defense and FT%.
Individually in WCC games only, Alyssa Shoji holds on to the No. 1 spot in 3FG% and is ranked No. 7 in 3FGs made. Rhianna Faithfull checks in at No. 4 in assists, while Kathy Willinsky is No. 10 in blocks and Maggie Goldenberger is No. 7 in FG%. Doran continues to hole the No. 2 spot in 3FGs made and is No. 8 in 3FG%. Majors checks in at No. 4 in defensive rebounds and No. 5 in rebounding. Gipson rounds out the leaders at No. 2 in rebounding and defensive rebounds, No. 6 in scoring and No. 9 in offensive rebounds.
Scouting San Diego
The Toreros enter the week with a 12-9 overall record and a 3-4 WCC record. USD will look to snap its four-game losing streak against SCU on Thursday. In their last outing, the Toreros were defeated 109-73 by Gonzaga. Kiva Herman had 22 points for San Diego; Amber Sprague added 18 points and Sam Child had 14 points. TOREROS TO WATCH: Herman - 18.3 ppg, 17 blks, 49.8 FG%; Sprague - 16.4 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 87.9 FT%; Dominique Conners - 8.4 ppg, 30 stl.
Last Time vs. San Diego
The two teams last met on Jan. 10 in San Diego. The Toreros posted a 67-54 victory with Kiva Herman single-handedly bringing USD back from an 11-point deficit at halftime. She posted 20 points, while Gipson had a double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds.
All-Time vs. San Diego
Saturday's game marks the 54th meeting of the two programs in a series Santa Clara leads 30-23.
Scouting Saint Mary's
The Gaels will face the Dons of San Francisco before hosting the Broncos on Saturday. SMC enters the week with a 7-15 overall record and a 3-4 WCC record. In their last outing, the Gaels fell by one-point to Portland, 64-63. Louella Tomlinson posted a game-high 21 points and 13 rebounds. GAELS TO WATCH: Tomlinson - 14.9 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 123 blk; Maija Lahde - 11.2 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 26 stl; Ashlee Smith - 9.5 ppg, 57.4 FG%.
Last Time vs. Saint Mary's
The Broncos and Gaels last met on Jan. 5 in the 2009 WCC season opener. Saint Mary's earned a narrow 58-55 win at the Leavey Center. Gipson had 13 points for the Broncos, who trailed by one-point going into halftime.
All-Time vs. Saint Mary's
Saturday's game marks the 55th meeting of the two programs. Santa Clara leads the series with a 32-22 record, yet Saint Mary's has won the last four meetings.
On Deck
Santa Clara hosts Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount next week at the Leavey Center. The Broncos and Waves face off on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. SCU and LMU then battle it out on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.