Dec. 11, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's basketball team travels to Salt Lake City for a Saturday afternoon match-up against the Utes of the University of Utah. Tip off is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT at the Huntsman Center.
Last Time Out
Santa Clara faced another setback last Saturday as it fell 75-63 on the road to CSU Bakersfield. Lena Gipson led the Broncos with 22 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. She also was perfect from the free throw line. Elizabeth Doran and Claire Goins also posted double-figure scoring. Doran added 14 points with four 3FGs, while Goins had 12 points and shot 67.7 percent from the field.
Follow Your Broncos Online
Bronco fans can watch all the action this weekend via Utah's All-Access streaming. The live video/audio stream is accessible through the women's basketball schedule at www.UtahUtes.com. Gametracker live stats are also available.
Bronco Watch
Forward Gipson leads the team in points and rebounds, averaging a double-double with 13.0 points and 10.8 rebounds per game. Senior Goins continues to lead the team's shooting with a 61.4 field goal percentage and an 82.4 free throw percentage. Sara Majors has dished out a team-best 24 assists, while Gipson has 13 steals and seven blocks.
It's Raining Threes
The Broncos are at it again! Several Broncos have shown off their three-point shooting skills this season. Senior Doran tallied four 3FGs against Bakersfield to bring the Broncos total to 35 3FGs thus far.
Off The Boards
Despite the losses, the Broncos have become one of the top two rebounding teams in the West Coast Conference. SCU leads the WCC in improved on their rebounding. Santa Clara has out-rebounded seven of its eight opponents thus far. SCU continues to lead the conference in rebounding defense and remains at No. 2 in defensive rebounds. Gipson leads the conference in both rebounding and defensive rebounds.
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 Utah
The Utes enter the weekend with a 3-4 overall record and a 2-1 mark at home. Utah rides a two-game winning streak into the game after defeating Marquette and Westminster. In their last outing, the Utes defeated Westminster, 69-49. Morgan Warburton had 23 points, while Halie Sawyer posted 11 points and 11 rebounds. Utah advanced to the NCAA tournament last season after compiling a perfect 16-0 Mountain West record. Head coach Elaine Elliott returns three of her starters from 2007-08. UTES TO WATCH: Warburton - 18.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg; Kalee Whipple - 17.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 16 stls; Katie King - 10.3 ppg, 6.7 rpg
Last Time vs. Utah
The Broncos and Utes last met on Nov. 17, 2001 in the Sheraton Four Points Classic hosted by Minnesota. In the season opener, SCU defeated Utah, 67-59.
All-Time vs. Utah
Saturday's game marks the sixth meeting of the two programs in which Utah leads the series 4-1.
On Deck
The Broncos return to the Leavey Center for three games before the Holiday Break. Santa Clara hosts Nevada (Dec. 18 @ 7 p.m.), Boise State (Dec. 20 @ 2 p.m.) and West Virginia (Dec. 22 @ 5 p.m.).