Fresno State Athletics
Red-Hot Women's Basketball Plays Two This Week
12/10/2001 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 10, 2001
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What's Coming Up
Fresno State looks to continue the program's best start since the 1996-97 season this week against a pair of West Coast Conference opponents, San Francisco and Santa Clara. The 5-2 Bulldogs travel to play the 3-3 Dons on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and host the 5-2 Broncos on Saturday at 4 p.m.
What Just Happened
The Bulldogs rebounded from consecutive road losses to post two victories last week, improving their record to 5-2. FS began the week with a 75-65 victory over Cal State Fullerton then hit the road to beat Northern Arizona 73-68. The latter win snapped the Lumberjacks seven-game home court winning streak. Lindsay Logan averaged 22.0 points in the two wins.
She's Off and Running
Thus far in 2001-02, Lindsay Logan is showing why she is considered an All-America candidate. The junior guard is averaging 18.4 points per game, tops on the team. She has led the Bulldogs in scoring in five games, including Saturday's 17-point effort against Northern Arizona. Logan has been instrumental in helping Fresno State to wins in five of its first seven games. She is also only 50 points away from 1,000 in her career.
Fast Starts
With wins in five of their first seven games, the Bulldogs are off to their best start since 1996-97. This year's team is the 16th in history to start 5-2. The last FS team to start 6-2 was in 1989-90. Here's a look at how some of the more recent 5-2 teams have fared:
Year Finished Note--------------------------------------------------------------1996-97 14-13 Last team to finish with a winning record--------------------------------------------------------------1991-92 13-15 Lost six of last nine games--------------------------------------------------------------1990-91 16-13 Lost last four, including first round of the Big West Tournament--------------------------------------------------------------1989-90 21-12 Team was invited to WNIT, last to play in postseason tournament--------------------------------------------------------------Scouting the Dons
San Francisco enters this week 3-3 after starting the season with three losses in a row. The Dons return three starters and nine letterwinners from last year's 13-16 (5-9 WCC) and have been picked to finish third in the conference's preseason poll. The Dons are a very balanced team, with nine players averaging 5.7 points pre game or more. However, no player averages double figures. Lindsey Huffand Alicia Hernandez pace USF, both scoring at a 9.3 per game clip. Mary Hile-Nepfel is the coach of San Francisco. She is in her 15th season and has posted a 209-183 record.
Fresno State All-Time vs. San Francisco
The Dons lead the all-time series 15-9 and have posted wins in the last two games. USF dominated the series from 1977-81, when the two teams played at least twice a season. In that time, the Dons won nine in a row. Fresno State and San Francisco haven't hooked up since Dec. 6, 1995, when the Dons won 83-53 in San Francisco. The Bulldogs own a 3-10 record all time in The City.
San Francisco Recent Action
USF hasn't played since defeating California 55-52 on Wednesday, making the Dons the third consecutive FS opponent who has had at least one week off prior to playing the Bulldogs. Against the Bears, San Francisco forced 30 Cal turnovers and picked up 11 points from Lindsey Huff for a victory. USF also defeated Washington on Dec. 2, receiving 14 points from Corey Sauer in a 72-68 win.
Scouting the Broncos
Santa Clara enters this week 5-2 having posted wins in four of its past five games. The Broncos return 10 letterwinners and two starters from last year's 20-8 (11-3 WCC) squad. SCU has been picked to finish fifth in the conference's preseason poll. Santa Clara is led by junior forward Julie Butler, who is averaging 12.6 points per game. SCU, who is averaging 73.7 points per game, has four players averaging double figures. The Broncos are led by Chris Denker, in his second year at the helm.
Fresno State All-Time vs. Santa Clara
FS leads the all-time series 15-12 but have lost the last four in a row. The two teams last met Nov. 24, 1998, a game won by SCU 77-61. In fact, the Broncos have taken six of the last seven games against Fresno State, the Bulldogs' lone win coming in 1991, a 78-71 victory in the North Gym. Ten of FS's 12 wins in the series have come at home.
Santa Clara Recent Action
The Broncos had four players score double figures and held Cal Poly to 31 percent shooting to pick up a 90-56 victory Sunday. Kendra Rhea came off the bench to lead SCU with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting. Also scoring in double digits were Julie Butler (15), Becky Ashbaugh (14) and Caroline Gruening (10).
Overcoming the WCC
Fresno State is looking this week to overcome its difficulty with West Coast Conference opponents. Since the 1997-98 season, WCC teams are 9-3 against the Bulldogs, including wins in three in a row. Fresno State last picked up a win against a WCC opponent in 1999-00 against Loyola Marymount.
A Team Effort
The Bulldogs' victory at Northern Arizona was a result of the entire team playing up to its potential. A total of 10 different players scored in the win and 12 Bulldogs saw playing time. Of the 12 players that got into the game, nine played nine minutes or more.
Good Things Coming in Threes
Fresno State jumped out to a 3-0 start to this season, its fastest start since the 1996-97 season. In fact, the Bulldogs' three-game winning streak was only the team's fifth since the 96-97 season. FS has not won four in a row since 1994-95. Fresno State is looking for its third consecutive win Tuesday against San Francisco. The Bulldogs haven't had two three game winning streaks in a season since that 1996-97.
Using the Bench
The Bulldogs used 14 players in the Delaware State game. That is the most FS players to participate in a contest since Britt King took over as head coach prior to the 1998-99 season. King has dipped into her bench the entire season, using at least 11 players in every game, quite a difference from the last two years when there were no more than three players on the bench from which to choose. The reserves have rewarded King this year by averaging 23.4 points per game.
Driving the Lane
Freshman Aritta Lane has been superb for Fresno State through the first seven games. She is averaging 10.6 points and 9.7 rebounds per game after averaging a double-double the last two weeks. A strong post player who's soft touch is matched by her tenacity on the glass, Lane leads Fresno State with three double-doubles and is tops in the WAC in rebounding.
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. Mack, Barnes, Copeland and Lane have seen the most playing time among the freshmen, but all are expected to make an impact on the hopes of this year's FS team.
Stifling Defense
Fresno State has tightened the clamps on its opponents so far this season. The Bulldogs are allowing the opposition to hit on only 39 percent of their field goal attempts, and only Bradley has shot over 40 percent from the floor in a game. The FS defense has also extended beyond the arc - three of its opponents have made only one three-pointer in an entire game. Fresno State is allowing 65.0 points per game.
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. Of the juniors, all start except Udeze, who comes off the bench to play a significant amount of minutes.
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 22-9 when scoring more than 65 points and 4-31 when they do not. The trend has continued in Fresno State's first five games this year, in which the Bulldogs are 5-0 when scoring more than 65 and 0-2 when they don't.
Difficult Stretch
With the Bulldogs off to their best start since the 1996-97 season, the current stretch of non-conference games may be one of the most vital since Britt King took over three years ago. Fresno State got things off to a good start with a 73-68 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday, FS's first road win of the year. But coming up are games against three tough West Coast Conference opponents - San Francisco, Santa Clara and Saint Mary's. The Bulldogs play both the Dons and the Gaels on the road.
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. So far this season, Fresno State is 2-1 when outrebounding its opponent and 3-1 when it does not. On an individual rebounding note, Aritta Lane currently leads the WAC with an 9.7 average.
Garcia Doing it All
The loss of Laura Garcia was a damaging one for Fresno State last year. But the junior guard has returned to the lineup this year with a vengeance and has added a bit of everything to the Bulldogs. Garcia has started all seven games and has averaged 5.7 points, 1.9 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. In the last three games, she's been a demon on the glass, totaling 22 rebounds, including a career-high eight against Bradley. Garcia's importance to Fresno State was evident last year when she injured her knee in the third conference game of the season and missed the rest of the year. FS went 5-9 the rest of the way.
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 fantastic 2000-01 season saw her finish first in assists, double-digit scoring games and three-pointers per game, third in scoring and ninth in steals. Logan was one of three sophomores to be selected to the All-WAC first team.
Bombs Away
In her freshman season, Lindsay Logan proved she was capable of hitting the three-pointer. 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 has made at least one three-pointer in 36 consecutive games and in 59 of 65 games in her career. This year, her 23 three-pointers made ranks first in the conference.
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 65 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 since the beginning of the 2000-01 season.
Simon's Tenacious D
There's more to playing basketball than scoring, and nobody proves that point more than guard Tiffany Simon. Although she is only averaging 4.0 points per game in 2001-02, the junior has been one of the team's most important players due to her suffocating defense. She has guarded the team's top perimeter player in each of Fresno State's three games and has been a key component in holding FS's opponents to a .386 field goal percentage this year, third best in the conference. Simon was a WAC All-Defensive pick last year.
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
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Ayanna Walker, Louisiana Tech
Bulldogs by the Notes
- Lindsay Logan has been Fresno State's leading scorer in five of seven games this year. She currently leads the WAC in scoring average at 19.4.
- Logan has one double-double this year. It came in the season opener against Delaware State.
- Logan has made a three-pointer in 36 consecutive games and in 59 of 65 career contests.
- Aritta Lane has three double-doubles this year and has double-digit rebounding games three times.
- Omelogo Udeze came off the bench against Bradley, snapping her string of consecutive games started at 29.
- Channan High has started 15 games in a row, most on the team.
- Laura Garcia has grabbed 22 rebounds in the last three games.
- Mindy Clark had her most productive game of the year Saturday against Northern Arizona, scoring nine points and grabbing two rebounds.
- The Bulldogs made 10 of their first 11 shots in the second half against Northern Arizona, including 6-of-8 from three-point territory.
- After this week, four of Fresno State's last five games will have come on the road.
- The Bulldogs are currently 5-2 and haven't started 6-2 since 1989-90.
- FS has allowed just one opponent this year to shoot better than 40 percent (Bradley: 47 percent).
- Fresno State has made a three-pointer in all three of its game in 2001-02, running its consecutive three-pointer streak to 65.
- The Bulldogs are 19-13 in the North Gym since the 1999-00 season.
- FS is 5-0 when scoring 65 points or more this year and 0-2 when it does not.
- Britt King has used at least 11 players in every game this year.
- Fresno State's 2001-02 roster features eight freshmen, two sophomores and five juniors.
- The Bulldogs are 4-0 when comitting less turnovers than their opponents.
- Fresno State is 3-9 against teams from the West Coast Conference since 1997-98.
- The elevation of 7,000 feet in Flagstaff, Ariz., is the highest altitude at which a Fresno State women's basketball team has ever won a game.
