Dec. 4, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's basketball team remains on the road this weekend as it battles the Roadrunners of Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, Dec. 6. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Icardo Center.
Last Time Out
Santa Clara returned from its nine day road trip this week. The Broncos went 1-4 over the Thanksgiving holiday, earning win No. 1 for first-year head coach Jennifer Mountain against Chicago State in the opening round of the UM Thanksgiving Tournament. The Broncos advanced to the championship game but fell 60-44 to host Miami. SCU then closed out the trip at UC Davis with a 62-44 setback. Elizabeth Doran led the Broncos' scoring for four straight games with a season-high of 16 points at Florida Gulf Coast.
Follow Your Broncos Online
Bronco play-by-play announcer Sam Farber will be on hand this weekend in Bakersfield. Fans can catch him calling the action on the Broncos All-Access at www.SantaClaraBroncos.com.
Bronco Watch
Santa Clara is still searching for win No. 1 as it remains on the road for three more games. Under the direction of first-year head coach Jennifer Mountain, SCU returns six letterwinners and two starters from last season and welcomes five talented newcomers.
Forward Gipson leads the team in points and rebounds, averaging a double-double with 11.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Senior forward Claire Goins and Kathy Willinsky lead the team's shooting with a 60.0 and 53.3 field goal percentage, respectively. From the charity stripe, Goins is 82.4 (14-for17). Sara Majors has dished out a team-best 26 assists, while Gipson has 13 steals and six blocks.
It's Raining Threes
The Broncos are at it again! Several Broncos have shown off their three-point shooting skills this season. The most recent came as a buzzer beater against UC Davis. Kelli Parker brought the game to a close with her shot. The Broncos are at 29 3FGs thus far.
Rebounds
Despite the losses, the Broncos have improved on their rebounding. Santa Clara has out-rebounded seven of its eight opponents thus far. SCU also moved up to No. 2 in the West Coast Conference in defensive rebounds, and leads the conference in rebounding defense. Gipson leads the conference in rebounding and defensive rebounds.
Scouting Bakersfield
The Runners enter Saturday's match with a 3-3 overall record. In their last outing, CSUB fell 104-57. Christin Kepenikian had 17 points and eight rebounds for the Roadrunners, while Katie Williams chipped in with 14 and Morgan Saso had 11 points. Kepenikian averages 18.7 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Last Time vs. Bakersfield
The Broncos and Roadrunners met for the first time on Jan. 4, 2008 at the Leavey center. Santa Clara escaped with a 78-75 victory on free throws by Chandice Cronk and Doran.
All-Time vs. Bakersfield
Saturday's game marks the second meeting between the two programs. Santa Clara leads the series 1-0
On Deck
The Broncos will play one more game on the road before returning to the Leavey Center for three straight contests. Santa Clara travels to Salt Lake City to face Utah on Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.