Fresno State Athletics
Women's Basketball Hosts Fresno State Classic
11/19/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 19, 2001
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What's Coming Up
The Bulldogs host the fifth annual Fresno State Classic at the North Gym. Fresno State opens up the tournament Thursday at 6 p.m. against Cal State Northridge. Southern Utah will play Marshall following the Bulldogs' game. The consolation and championship game will be contested Saturday at noon and 2 p.m., respectively.
Fresno State Classic Schedule
Thursday, Nov. 22
Game 1: Fresno State vs. Cal State Northridge, 6 p.m.
Game 2: Marshall vs. Southern Utah, 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 24
Game 3: Consolation, noon
Game 4: Championship, 2 p.m.
What Just Happened
Fresno State defeated Delaware State 71-49 in the season opener behind a stellar debut performance from freshman Aritta Lane, who scored a game-high 19 points and pulled in 15 rebounds. Lindsay Logan also had a double-double, scoring 12 points and dishing out 10 assists.
All-WAC Players Return
All three of Fresno State's All-WAC players return this year. Lindsay Logan, a first-team selection, Omelogo Udeze, a member of the second team, and Tiffany Simon, an All-WAC defensive team pick, come back for their junior seasons in 2001-02. They comprised to make up the only threesome in the conference who averaged more than 12 points per game.
Bulldogs in the Fresno State Classic
The Bulldogs have not had much luck in the four previous editions of the Fresno State Classic. FS has finished second each time, including last year when the Bulldogs lost to New Mexico State 75-57 in the championship game. While Fresno State has never won any of the previous Classic's, Southern Utah, a participant in this year's tournament, took the 1997 title.
Scouting Southern Utah
The Thunderbirds are making their third appearance in the Fresno State Classic. They are 3-1 overall, winning the tournament title in the inaugural season of 1997-98 and taking second in 1998-99. SUU returns four starters and seven letterwinners from last year's 16-12 (11-5 MCC) squad. Leading the list of returnees is senior guard Megan Woolston, a first-team All-Mid-Continent Conference selection last season. She led the team in scoring (13.0 ppg) and free throw percentage (.853), and was tops in the MCC in three-point field goal percentage (.454). Southern Utah is coached by Joe Hillock, the second winningest coach in program history. He has posted a 69-67 mark in his five years at the helm and needs just 16 victories to move into first among SUU coaches.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Southern Utah
Fresno State and Southern Utah have played only once previously, that meeting coming Nov. 28, 1997, in the Fresno State Classic. The Thunderbirds defeated the Bulldogs 71-68 to take the tournament title.
Southern Utah Recent Action
The Thunderbirds enter this week 0-1 after suffering an 84-46 setback at the hands of Northern Arizona last week. The only SUU player to score in double figures was Sally Johnson, who had 13. Southern Utah committed 24 turnovers and shot only 29 percent in the loss. The Thunderbirds take on Montana State on Monday before coming to Fresno.
Scouting Marshall
The Thundering Herd return seven letterwinners and two starters from last season's 10-18 (4-12 MAC) squad. Marshall averaged nearly 70 points per game in 2000-01 but will need to replace the firepower of the departed Yaschico Stevens and Toni Patillo, last year's top two scorers at 11.8 and 8.9 points per game, respectively. Sophomore forward Catie Knable will be asked to pick up some of the slack. She was third among the Thundering Herd last year with an 8.5 scoring average. The Thundering Herd are coached by Royce Chadwick. He is in his first season at the helm but has posted a 400-131 in his 17 years as a collegiate head coach.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Marshall
Fresno State and Marshall have never met before.
Marshall Recent Action
The Thundering Herd enters this week 1-1 after losing to American University 89-87 in overtime and defeating South Carolina State 62-48. Against AU, Marshall hit 55 percent of its shot but shot itself in the foot by turning the ball over 33 times. Au'Yana Ferguson led the Herd with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Marshall bounced back one day later to take out SCSU behind 14 points from Ida Dotson.
Scouting Cal State Northridge
The Matadors return 10 letterwinners and two starters from last year's 9-18 (5-10 Big Sky) team. Cal State Northridge features nine rosters, including point guard Monica Hernandez, who established a CSN single-season record last year with 135. Cal State Northridge will be forced to replace its top two leading scorers from last year - Kristi Rose (11.9 ppg) and LaShaunda Fowler (9.9 ppg). Rose was also the team's top rebounder at 7.0 per game. The Matadors are coached by Frozena Jerro. She is in her third year and has posted a 48-36-1 record.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Cal State Northridge
The Bulldogs hold a commanding 17-4 lead in the all-time series. The two teams last met Dec. 20, 1996, an 86-38 victory at the North Gym.
Cal State Northridge Recent Action
Cal State Northridge opens up its season Monday against Syracuse, then travels to play in the Fresno State Classic. The Matadors won both of their exhibition games, defeating the NBWL Elite 99-85 before taking out Love and Basketball 81-70. Jenny Shetters had 52 points in the two games to lead CSN.
Finally ... A Full Bench
A drastic change in this year's team will be in bench depth. Last year's roster was comprised of only nine players, and frequently the squad was pared to eight or at times even seven due to injuries. The current roster lists 15 players: five juniors, two sophomores and eight freshmen.
Another Strong Class
For the second consecutive season, head coach Britt King has corraled a strong recruiting class. This year's group of newcomers was rated 53rd best in the nation by Women's Basketball Journal. All told, the Bulldogs signed eight players to national letters of intent. Cophie Moore (Arlington, Texas), a 5-foot 10-inch guard/forward, Joanna Barnes (Washington, D.C.), a 5-foot 10-inch two-guard, Aritta Lane (Alea, Hawaii), a 6-foot forward, Lisa Copeland (Orchard Lake, Mich.), a 5-foot 10-inch guard/forward, Veronica Mack (Phoenix, Ariz.), a 5-foot 6-inch guard, Barbara Johnson (Bakersfield, Calif.), a 6-foot 2-inch forward, Kim Holston (Washington, D.C.), a 5-foot 5-inch guard, and Lauren Stayton (Inglewood, Calif.), a 5-foot 9-inch guard, all signed to play for the Bulldogs this year.
Logan Back for More
Lindsay Logan was back in midseason form in the Bulldogs opener against Delaware State, racking up her sixth career double-double with a 12-point, 10-assist performance. Perhaps most impressive about her effort against the Hornets was that her production came while making a mere one turnover. Logan also made two three-pointers and has made at least one from beyond the arc in 30 consecutive games.
Who's Gone?
Laura Paukert was the only senior on last year's team. She started nine games, including each of the last five, and averaged 5.3 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The only other player on the 2000-01 squad not returning is freshman Annie Fagundes, who transferred to a junior college. Fagundes played sparingly and did not score a point last season.
Six in a Row?
One of the more amazing feats accomplished by any program in the WAC is Fresno State's stranglehold on the conference rebounding title. Last year, Omelogo Udeze's 9.7 average made her the fifth consecutive Bulldog to finish atop the WAC rebounding list. She joined past Bulldogs Janee Young (1996-97, '97-98) and Tiffany Lewis (1998-99, '99-00) in the record books. Udeze's season was made even more impressive by the fact that she was the only player in the conference to average a double-double with 15.8 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. The only other WAC team to finish first in a statistical category was Colorado State, which placed players atop the field goals attempted list from 1992-98.
Junior Experience
Unlike last year's team, this season's squad is heavier on upperclassmen. While the 2000-01 edition had no juniors and only one senior, this year's squad breakdown will feature five juniors, all of whom are expected to see significant playing time. Included in those juniors are all three of the Bulldogs' all-conference selections last year - Lindsay Logan, Omelogo Udeze and Tiffany Simon. The five juniors comprised the starting lineup Saturday against Delaware State.
The Magic Number
A look at any notes about the Bulldogs the past two years have indicated one remarkable statistic. Simply put, 65 is the magic number for Fresno State. Since the 1999-00 season, the Bulldogs are 18-9 when scoring more than 65 points and 4-29 when they do not. The trend continued in this year's season opener, when FS defeated Delaware State 71-49.
Using the Bench
The Bulldogs used 14 players in the Delaware State game. That is the highest number of FS players to participate since Britt King took over as head coach prior to the 1998-99 season.
The Schedule
Fresno State will have its first three games of the 2001-02 season in the North Gym before taking to the road. The Bulldogs opened against Delaware State on Saturday and now host the annual Fresno State Classic on Thursday and Saturday. This year's tournament features Cal State Northridge, Southern Utah and Marshall. Also highlighting the non-conference schedule are road games at California and Saint Mary's and a home game against Santa Clara.
The Conference Ledger
The addition of perennial national power Louisiana Tech to the WAC will make for a demanding conference schedule. The Bulldogs and Lady Techsters will match up in the North Gym on Dec. 30, the season's second conference game. Fresno State will have the opportunity to jump out to a good start in the WAC standings by playing five of its first seven conference games in the North Gym. However, the end of the season will be challenging, with road games at Louisiana Tech and SMU followed by the WAC tournament. This marks the fourth time in the last five season the Bulldogs have wrapped up the regular season on the road.
Board Games
With six six-footers on the 2001-02 roster, Fresno State should prove to be a rebounding force. That is something that will make head coach Britt King smile. Last year, when outrebounding their opponent, the Bulldogs were 7-5. Conversely, the team was only 3-14 when it did not. Amazingly, in the WAC Tournament game against SMU, Fresno State established a new tournament record when it grabbed 58 in the loss to the Mustangs.
Garcia, Fleming Back to 100 Percent
The loss of Laura Garcia was a damaging one for Fresno State last year. The starting point guard in 12 of the first 15 games, Garcia was lost for the season when she tore her posterior cruciate ligament Jan. 12 at SMU. In her absence, the Bulldogs went 5-9 with losses in six of their last eight games. At the time she went down, Garcia was averaging 7.7 points and 3.1 boards per game. It was her basket with 11.4 seconds left that gave FS a thrilling 66-62 victory at Boise State on Dec. 16. Fleming's return will also be of help to Fresno State. The sophomore missed 14 games during the 2000-01 season with shin splints but is back to 100 percent for the start of this year, a point she proved Saturday against Delaware State by scoring four points, dishing out five assists and grabbing three rebounds in 26 minutes.
Terrific Trio
Fresno State's dynamic trio of Lindsay Logan (16.9 ppg), Omelogo Udeze (13.8 ppg) and Tiffany Simon (12.8 ppg) was the most prolific in the Western Athletic Conference. Each averaged more than 12 points per game, making them the only threesome in the conference who could boast that accomplishment. Fresno State was also the only WAC team with three players ranked in the top 12 in scoring average. In addition, Udeze finished tops in field goal percentage (.533) and rebounds (9.7 per game) while Logan led the conference in several statistical categories, including assists (5.7 per game), three-pointers per game (3.1) and double-digit scoring games (27).
So Good, It's Scary
Despite being in the crosshairs of opposing defenses the entire season, first-team All-WAC selection Lindsay Logan posted eye-popping numbers last year in becoming the first Bulldog named to the All-WAC first team since the 1994-95 season. Her named dotted the conference statistical sheet in many categories. Following are those categories and where Logan rests:
Category Total PlaceAssists Avg.-------------------5.65------1stMinutes Per Game---------------37.1-----T1stDouble-Digit Scoring Games-------27------1stThree-Pters Per Game------------3.1------1stScoring Avg.-------------------16.9-----T3rdSteals Avg.--------------------1.76-----T9thHeave-Ho
In her freshman season, Lindsay Logan proved she was capable of hitting the three-pointer. In fact, Logan was so good she attempted 179, which at the time tied the FS record for threes attempted in a single season. However, last year Logan took her three-point shooting to another stratosphere. The sophomore attempted 271, eclipsing the record she tied in 1999-00 by 92. Logan drained 3.1 three-pointers per game, tops in the WAC and tied for fifth in the nation. She made at least one three-pointer in all 29 games last season and in 52 of 58 games in her career.
It's Raining Threes
Fresno State made at least one three-pointer in each game last year, meaning they have now made at least one three-pointer in 58 consecutive games. The last time FS did not make a three in a game was March 1, 1999, a 78-48 loss to the Owls in the WAC tournament in Las Vegas. In addition, guard Lindsay Logan has made at least one three in each game during the 2000-01 season.
Bulldogs Picked Sixth in WAC Preseason Poll
Fresno State was picked to finish sixth by conference coaches in the WAC preseason poll. Conference newcomer Louisiana Tech received nine of 10 first place votes and was voted as the favorite to win the conference title. Hawai'i and SMU were second and third, respectively. Lindsay Logan and Omelogo Udeze were both selected to the preseason All-WAC first team. Following is the preseason poll and All-WAC teams:
WAC PRESEASON POLLNo Team Votes 1. Louisiana Tech (9)-----81 2. Hawai'I (1)------------69 3. SMU--------------------63 4. Nevada-----------------56 5. Rice-------------------53 6. Fresno State-----------39 7. Tulsa------------------35 8. Boise State------------199T. San Jose State---------179T. UTEP-------------------17
PRESEASON ALL-WAC TEAMSFirst Team
- Lindsay Logan, Fresno State
- Omelogo Udeze, Fresno State
- Ayanna Walker, Louisiana Tech
- Takeisha Lewis, Louisiana Tech
- Kate Smith, Nevada
Second Team
- Kaci Alexander, SMU
- Atari Parker, San Jose State
- Andrea Cossey, SMU
- Daneesh McIntosh, Rice
- Crista Peterson, Boise State
Bulldogs by the Notes
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ayanna Walker, Louisiana Tech
- Lindsay Logan racked up her sixth career double-double against Delaware State by scoring 12 points and dishing out 10 assists. She committed only one turnover in the victory.
- Logan has made a three-pointer in 30 consecutive games and in 53 of 59 career contests.
- Tiffany Simon started but played only 15 minutes in the Delaware State game. She did not score a point.
- Omelogo Udeze played 25 minutes in the season opener and scored 14 points on 6-for-6 shooting from the floor. She also grabbed five rebounds.
- Laura Garcia made a strong return to the lineup, playing 26 minutes and scoring four points and handing out five assists. It was Garcia's first game since injuring her knee Jan. 12 at SMU.
- Aritta Lane's nine free throws were more than any Bulldog had in a game all of last year.
- Fresno State's 2001-02 roster features eight freshmen, two sophomores and five juniors.
- The frontcourt of Channan High and Omelogo Udeze combined for 24 points on 11-of-11 shooting.
- The Bulldogs are 16-13 in the North Gym since the 1999-00 season.
- Fresno State plays its first three games in the North Gym before hitting the road for five of the next seven. Included in that stretch are games against California, Northern Arizona and Saint Mary's, team that have defeated the Bulldogs in Fresno the last two years.
- Fourteen players participated in the 71-49 victory over Delaware State, with nine logging more than 10 minutes.
- The Bulldogs shot 55 percent in the second half against Delaware State. Meanwhile, the FS defense held the Hornets to only 27 percent shooting in the first half and forced 26 turnovers.
- Fresno State had 22 assists, compared to only 12 for DSC.
- The victory over Delaware State was Fresno State's third in a row in a season opener.
- The Bulldogs will be looking for their first even tournament title in the upcoming Fresno State Classic. FS has taken second place in the four previous editions of the FSC.
