Broncos Host Pepperdine and LMU This Week

Broncos Host Pepperdine and LMU This Week

Feb. 11, 2009

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    SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's basketball team returns to the Leavey Center this week for two of its final three home games. The Broncos will host the Waves of Pepperdine on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. SCU will then battle LMU on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m.

    Honoring Melissa King '93
    Santa Clara University and the Bronco Athletic Department will honor SCU's all-time leading scorer, Melissa King '93, at halftime of Saturday's contest against Loyola Marymount. Sixteen years later, King still holds six all-time records at Santa Clara and is ranked in the top-10 of six additional categories. The Broncos' first women's basketball All-American, King was also a two-time WCC Player of the Year and was named the league's Newcomer of the Year in 1991. She helped the Broncos to the Women's National Invitational Tournament title in 1991, their first trip to the NCAA tournament in 1992 and three straight WCC regular-season titles.

    Follow Your Broncos Online
    Fans cans watch and listen to both games this week via Bronco All-Access as Sam Farber will be calling the play-by-play action on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Live stats through GameTracker will also be available online.

    Last Time Out
    For the second straight game, the Broncos were held to just 54 points as they lost their ninth straight contest at Saint Mary's, 68-54. Santa Clara was led by Alyssa Shoji's 15 points and Kathy Willinsky's game-high seven rebounds.

    Bronco Watch
    SCU enters the weekend with a 2-22 overall record and looking for WCC win No. 1 with a 0-8 mark. Gipson is the only Bronco averaging double-figure points and rebounds with 13.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. She has 14 blocks and 31 steals. Becky Goll has returned to the Broncos' line-up and owns a 50.0 FG%. Elizabeth Doran leads from behind the arc and at the charity stripe with a 31.5 3FG percentage and an 88.0 free throw percentage. Sara Majors has dished out 69 assists and is second on the team with 6.4 rebounds per game.

    Gipson Makes Mark In Record Books
    The sophomore forward has entered her first single-season category as a Bronco. With 239 rebounds, she takes over the No. 8 spot from Liz Bruno's '82 freshman season (1978-79). She is four boards away from No. 7 Kendra Rhea's '03 senior season mark of 243 (2002-03).

    Double Trouble
    Sophomore Gipson is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, averaging a double-double of 13.4 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. She has compiled double-digit scoring performances in 20 of the Broncos' 24 games and has had a double-double in 16 of SCU's 24 games. This week she moved up to a No. 22 rank nationally in rebounds per game and No. 67 in field goal percentage (49.3%).

    Off The Boards
    For the 10th straight week, Gipson leads the West Coast Conference in rebounds. She averages a league-best 10.0 per game. She ranks No. 1 in rebounds and No. 1 in defensive rebounds with 7.29 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, SCU moved up to No. 1 in 3FG percentage (.331) and continues to lead the WCC in FG% defense (.357) and 3FG% defense (.226). The Broncos are second in rebounding defense (34.2) and third in FT% (.714).

    Individually in WCC games only, Shoji holds on to the No. 1 spot in 3FG% and is ranked No. 5 in 3FGs made. Rhianna Faithfull checks in at No. 7 in assists, Willinsky is No. 10 in blocks and Maggie Goldenberger is No. 8 in FG%. Doran is No. 3 in 3FGs made and is No. 8 in 3FG%. Majors checks in at No. 5 in defensive rebounds, No. 6 in rebounding and No. 7 in FT%. Gipson rounds out the leaders at No. 2 in rebounding and defensive rebounds, No. 6 in scoring, and No. 10 in FG% and offensive rebounds.

    Scouting Pepperdine
    The Waves played a single game last week and fell to LMU, 68-44. Jazmine Jackson led with 17 points and five rebounds. Pepperdine enters Thursday's game with an even 11-11 overall record and 4-4 WCC record. WAVES TO WATCH: Miranda Ayim - 11.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 24 blk, 36 stl; Katie Menton - 10.7 ppg, Jackson - 9.5 ppg, 44 stl.

    Last Time vs. Pepperdine
    The Broncos and Waves last met on Jan. 31 in Malibu with Pepperdine edging Santa Clara 51-48. Pepperdine lead 25-15 at the end of the first half and SCU produced a strong second half performance to knot the game, 44-44, with about three minutes to play. However, the Waves regained the advantage in the final two minutes.

    All-Time vs. Pepperdine
    Saturday's game marks the 58th meeting of the two programs. Santa Clara leads the series with a 30-26 record.

    Scouting Loyola Marymount
    LMU defeated Pepperdine last week to win its fourth of last six games. The Lions head into the weekend with a 15-7 overall record and a 5-3 WCC record. LMU will battle USD prior to visiting the Mission Campus. In the last outing, Candice Nichols led all players with 18 points. LIONS TO WATCH: Renahy Young - 14.5 ppg, 27 stl; Alex Cowling - 12.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg; Cassady Moore - 10.9 ppg, 59 stl.

    Last Time vs. LMU
    The Broncos and Lions last met on Jan. 29 in Los Angeles. Santa Clara held a 31-24 advantage at halftime after skyrocketing to a 13-2 lead in the first five minutes. However, LMU pushed its 10-0 run from the first half to a 24-0 rally to take a 38-31 lead. The Broncos fought hard but fell 59-56 in the final minutes of the game. Gipson led all players with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

    All-Time vs. LMU
    Saturday's game marks the 55th meeting of the two programs. Santa Clara leads the series with a 33-14 record.

    On Deck
    Santa Clara celebrates its three graduating seniors next weekend with its single-game against San Francisco. Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Leavey Center. Saturday's game is also PinkZone night. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to the game.