Denver at Cal State Fullerton
Fullerton, Calif. | Titan Gym
Friday, January 3, 2014 | 7:00 p.m.
Game Coverage: Live Stats | Video | Audio | Denver Notes
Cal State Fullerton Game Notes (PDF)
Tip-Off
Winners of two of its last three following a loss at Boise State last weekend, the Cal State Fullerton women's basketball team returns home to Titan Gym this week to open the 2014 year and conclude its non-conference schedule against the Denver Pioneers on Friday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m.
There will be a live video feed available for Cal State Fullerton's game versus Denver. To access video for the game visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the women's basketball schedule page then click the "video" link to watch through BigWest.TV.
There will be live audio streaming available for Cal State Fullerton's game vs. Denver. To access audio for the game visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the women's basketball schedule page then click the "audio" link. Matt Hurst will be providing play-by-play for the Titans.
There will be live stats available for Cal State Fullerton's game vs. Denver. To access live stats for the game visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the women's basketball schedule page then click the "live stats" link.
Follow the Titans!
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titans athletics by following us on Facebook (Facebook.com/CSUF.Athletics), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) and YouTube.com (YouTube.com/csfathletics). In addition, the women's basketball team has established its own Twitter page (@WBBTitans).
A Look at the Series...
Cal State Fullerton (3-9) vs. Denver (2-11)
The Titans and Pioneers contest on Friday at Titan Gym will be the very first meeting between the two programs.
Not Know About Denver? Now You Do!
Denver enters the 2013-14 season looking to build off a 2012-13 campaign that saw the Pioneers finish with a 14-17 record (8-10 WAC). Denver moved into the Summit League Conference this season and is off to a 2-11 start, but won its last game, 67-60 versus Illinois State on Dec. 30, 2013. The Pioneers were picked to finish fifth in the Summit League in 2013-14.
The Pioneers are under the direction of second-year head coach Kerry Cremeans. Denver is led by sophomore guard Kailey Edwards, who is averaging 13.2 points per game and 4.2 rebounds. Sophomore guard Paige Bradley has contributed 12.6 points per game and 4.7 assists per game.
Junior Forward Theresa Wirth will be another strong option for the Pioneers inside. The Mesa, Ariz., native has averaged 9.5 points per game and grabbed 7.3 rebounds per game. Denver is averaging 67.0 points this season, while allowing 77.5 points per game. The Pioneers are shooting 40 percent from the field and 35 percent from behind the arc.
Conference Call
The Titans are 6-6 (.500) all-time against Summit League foes. The Titans previously lost to Summit opponent South Dakota in the 2013-14 season opener 66-57 (Nov. 8) at Titan Gym.
Youth Night
Cal State Fullerton invites all fans 12 and under to get free admission into the game against Denver!
Last Time Out for the Titans
Trailing by two points with 11.7 seconds remaining, Cal State Fullerton had a chance to tie or take the lead, but failed to attempt a shot in the final possession and fell short 66-64 to Boise State Sunday afternoon at Taco Bell Arena.
With the Titans trailing for most of the second half, junior guard Chante Miles brought the Titans within one, 65-64, after hitting a pair of free throws with 26.8 seconds remaining. After fouling Tonishia Childress, the freshman guard converted on one of two attempts from the charity stripe to give the Broncos a two point lead. Fullerton (3-9) had a chance to tie the game, but the Titans were unable to put up a shot attempt as Hailey King lost possession of the ball giving Boise State (5-6) the victory.
Playing majority of the game in foul trouble Miles led the Titans in scoring, pouring in 18 points, while Kathleen Iwuoha recorded her first double double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds. King also added 12 points in the loss.
Boise State's Miquelle Askew led all scorers with 23 points and 13 rebounds. In her first game of the season, junior guard Deanna Weaver added 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, while freshman guard Yaiza Rodriguez scored 12 points and grabbed five rebounds.
The Titans got off to a slow start to begin the game as Fullerton failed to record a field goal over the first three minutes until Samantha Logan's mid-range jumper with 16:45 remaining put the Titans on the board, 4-2.
Over the next eight minutes of the game a 16-6 run, which was fueled by five points from Miles, put Fullerton ahead 18-12 with 7:35 left in the first half. The Titans would lead by as many as seven points in the half, but the Broncos ended the half on a 12-4 run to head into intermission leading 29-27.
With the slow start, as a team Cal State Fullerton had a .296 shooting percentage (8-of-27), while the Broncos knocked down 23 percent (11-of-26) of their opportunities. Miles added eight first half points, while Iwuoha contributed six points and six rebounds.
Fullerton opened the second half on a 6-1 run to take a three-point, 33-30 lead over the Broncos. However, the Broncos evened the score at 35 after a Deanna Weaver three-pointer with 16:25 remaining and continued a 12-4 run to stretch their lead to as many as six, 42-37.
The Titans battled with the Broncos and with 8:39 Fullerton tied the game at 49 after an Alex Thomas basket. With the game tied at 49, a 7-2 Boise State run quickly extended their lead to 56-51, but the Titans quickly answered to tie the game at 56 with fewer than five minutes to play.
The Titans grabbed a 62-61 lead after a Miles layup, but Rodriguez knocked down a three pointer with 1:33 to put Broncos up 64-62. Keiahanna Engel extended the Bronco lead to three after converting a free throw.
The Titans finished the day shooting 36 percent from the field and 23 percent from three-point range. Boise State shot 41 percent from the floor and 32 percent from behind the arc.
Opening Up the New Year
The Titans will play their first game in the new calendar year on Friday. Over the past ten years Fullerton is 6-4 in games after new year's. The Titans defeated Hawai'i last season to start off 2013.
Where We Rank
Through 12 games here's a look at where the Titans stack up early on. Fullerton ranks first in the Big West Conference in scoring defense (65.2 ppg), third in defensive rebounding (38.1 rpg), third in defensive rebounding percentage (.656), fifth in three-pointers made per game (5.8) and fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.82).
What's Trending
Fullerton has recorded two or more double-digit scoers in 11 of 12 games this season...the Titans bench has outscored the opponent's bench in five contests this season...Fullerton has committed more turnovers than the opposition in seven of 11 games this season, but has not committed more than their opponents in the last two games...the Titans have used six different starting lineups this season.
550 Wins
After defeating New Mexico State 63-52 on Monday, Dec. 21 at Titan Gym, the Titans recorded their 550th win in program history.
Balanced Attack
Cal State Fullerton has had a relatively balanced attack this year with five players averaging between 14.6 and 7.0 points per game starting with Chante Miles (14.6 ppg), followed by Kathleen Iwuoha (11.4 ppg), while Alex Thomas chips in 8.0 ppg.
Cleaning Up
Junior forward Kathleen Iwuoha has led Fullerton in rebounding in its last five contests and in seven of 12 games this season. Over the past five games she has averaged 8.8 rebounds per game and this season she leads the team in overall rebounding (7.1 rpg).
Field Goal Attempts
The Titans have taken more shots than their opponents in six of 12 games to date. Fullerton is 2-1 when shooting better than 40 percent from the field this season.
Points in the Paint
The Titans have scored more points in the paint in the last three of four games. Fullerton was outscored by No. 24 Arizona State 30-16 on Dec. 14 at Titan Gym.
Mile's Career Night
Junior guard Chante Miles poured in a career high 22 points and knocked down four three-pointers in a 63-52 win over New Mexico State on Dec. 23. Miles previously set a career high 21 points earlier in the season at Columbia.
Leading at the Half
In all three games the Titans have led at the half they have won. However, in all nine losses Fullerton has trailed heading into intermission.
Climbing Up the Record Books
Junior forward Natalie Williams leads the Titans with 11 blocked shots this season and now ranks ninth all-time among career shot blockers. The Cerritos, Calif., native needs three blocks to tie Charlee Underwood who played from 2003-2007.
Career Steals Reached
Senior guard Alex Thomas reached the 100 career milestone after recording two against Seattle on Dec. 21 at Titan Gym. Junior guard Chante Miles aslo achieved the same milestone against the Arizona State Sun Devils on Dec. 14. The Compton, Calif., native leads the Titans this season with 14 steals.
Iwuoha Records Double-Double
Junior Kathleen Iwuoha made her presence felt as she poured in 15 points, tying a career high, while also grabbing 13 rebounds in a 66-64 loss at Boise State. Iwuoha previous high of 15 came earlier in the season and now she has three career double doubles.
Thomas Connecting From Behind the Arc
Senior guard Alex Thomas knocked down three three-pointers against Iowa State giving her a new career high for three-pointers in a game. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native previously connected on two three-pointers ten different times in her career.
A Streak Meant For Snapping
After beginning the year 0-4 at home and losing their last five straight home contests dating back to last season, Fullerton picked up back-to-back victories at Titan Gym on Dec. 21 versus Seattle and on Dec. 23 against New Mexico State.
Career Milestones Approaching
Senior guard Brianna Barfield needs seven points for 200 total points in her career. Junior Tailer Butler needs 15 points to record 300 points in her career. The Los Angeles, Calif., native made her first start of the season versus Arizona State on Dec. 14. Senior guard Alex Thomas needs 10 rebounds to reach the 300 career mark.
Scoring Threat
Chante Miles has averaged 14.6 points per game, which leads all Titan players. Miles set a new career high after scoring 22 points against New Mexico State on Dec. 23. The Compton, Calif., native has had double-digit scoring figures in 11 of 12 games this season and has 31 total in her career. Last season the junior guard had 19 double-digit scoring games and one 20-point game.
The Second Half, Times Two
Fullerton has scored 52.3 percent (359/686) of its total points this season in the second half. If one were to replace Fullerton's first half scoring with its second half scoring this season, the Titans would be averaging 59.8 points per game compared to its current 57.5 points per game clip. Fullerton is knocking more shots down in the second half, while also having less turnovers.
Flying Under the Radar
Samantha Logan is making her presence felt. She currently is second on the team in overall rebounding (5.9 rpg) and defensive rebounding (4.0 rpg). Her overall rebounding per game ranks 13th best in the Big West, while her defensive rebounding ranks tied for tenth.
Finding the Right Mix
Cal State Fullerton has used six different starting lineups this season. Hailey King and Alex Thomas are the only Titans to have started in every game this season.
Miles Dishing Out Assists
After 12 games, junior guard Chante Miles is fourth in the Big West in assists. The Compton, Calif., native has 52 assists this season and set a new career high against Alabama after dishing out eight assists. Miles previous high was seven assists, which she recorded versus Hawai'i on Jan. 3, 2013.
Individuals in the Big West
After 12 games multiple Titans individually rank at the top of statistical categories for the Big West Conference. Junior Chante Miles is ninth in scoring (14.6 ppg), fourth in assists (4.3 apg), first in minutes played (36.5 mpg), and 10th in assists-to-turnovers ratio (1.06). Kathleen Iwuoha is ranked first in field goal percentage (.547), fifth in rebounds (7.1 rpg), and tied eighth in offensive rebounds (2.64 pg). Forward Natalie Williams is tied for sixth in blocked shots per game (0.9 bpg). Samantha Logan is ranked seventh in three-point field goal percentage (.392) and sixth in three-pointers made (1.67 pg), 10th in defensive rebound (4.0 rpg), and 13th in rebounding (5.9 rpg).
Bench Production
The Titans' bench has produced 147 of Fullerton's 686 total points scored this season (21 percent)...the CSUF bench has been outscored by opposition's bench 147-198 this season...Cal State Fullerton's leading scorer, Chante Miles, has come off the bench one time this season.
Fullerton's Dynamic Duo
Chante Miles and Kathleen Iwuoha have combined to score 300 of Fullerton's 686 points this season (44%). Miles has 11 ten double-digit scoring games this season, including three 20-point performances. Iwuoha has eight games in double figures.
Double-Double
Samantha Logan recorded her first career double-double (14 points, 11 rebounds) on Nov. 29 versus Toledo and was the first Titan since Kathleen Iwuoha had 15 points and 13 rebounds against Pacific on March 15, 2013 to earn a double-double. However, the Corona, Calif., native came back the next day to record another double-double versus Alabama (19 points, 11 rebounds). Also, Logan was just one point shy of posting a double-double against Columbia on Nov. 22 (9 points, 10 rebounds). Fullerton had four double-doubles during the 2012-13 season.
Milestones Reached
After the 80-54 win versus Columbia (Nov. 22), senior Alex Thomas passed the 600 career total point mark in her career and junior Chante Miles passed the 500 career point milestone. Junior Kathleen Iwuoha recorded her 400th career point in a 59-58 loss to Toledo on Nov. 29.
Versus the Top 25
Iowa State was the first nationally ranked opponent for the Cal State Fullerton women's basketball program since the Titans played Gonzaga on Dec. 2, 2011 when the 24th ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs defeated Fullerton 73-60 at Titan Gym. Last season the Titans played three teams (Georgetown, Gonzaga, Pacific) that received votes in either the AP or USA Today Coaches Poll.
Fullerton has lost its last 14 consecutive games against teams either ranked or receiving votes in either poll dating back to a 68-65 win over Idaho (receiving votes in the Associated Press poll) on Jan. 24, 2004, in Moscow, Idaho... the Titans have lost their last 25 meetings with top 25 foes since posting a 75-63 victory over No. 24 (Associated Press) Long Beach State on Jan. 21, 1991.
Overall, Fullerton is 11-95 against nationally ranked competition dating to the 1977 season... the Titans have not been listed among the top 25 since Feb. 4, 1991, breaking into the Associated Press poll at No. 24 that week.
Recycled Notes
Start of a New Era
Head Coach Daron Park begins his first stint as the head coach of Cal State Fullerton women's basketball. Park spent last season as the associate head coach at USC. Park enters his first season as a head coach and is the first male head coach in Cal State Fullerton women's basketball history. Park recorded his first win as the head coach of the Titans on Nov. 22 versus Columbia.
Breaking Down the Titans
Cal State Fullerton return all five starters and 11 letterwinners overall from last season's squad that finished 11-22 overall and 5-13 in the Big West Conference, good enough for eighth place. The Titans were the No. 8 seed in last year's conference tournament, falling to Pacific in the Big West Conference Semifinals, 54-51.
The Titans have stability with the return of Chante Miles who returns as the team's leading scorer (10.5 ppg). All-Big West Conference Tournament team honoree Mya Olivier returns for her senior season as one the team's leading rebounder (5.3 rpg) and scorers (7.2 ppg) from a season ago. Twenty-eight game starter Kathleen Iwuoha also returns looking to build off a solid sophomore campaign where she averaged 5.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game.
Guard Alex Thomas will also provide an offensive threat after averaging 8.4 ppg last season. Annie Park heads into her second season after being named to the Big West's 2013 All-Freshman team in 2012.
Balanced Scoring
Fullerton had four players score in double figures at Columbia on Nov. 22, the first time that the Titans had more than two players score 10 or more points. Junior Chante Miles upped her career best to 21 points to lead all players. Redshirt sophomore Hailey King had a career high 15 points, while junior Kathleen Iwuoha added 15 points and senior Alex Thomas scored 12. The Titans have had at least one player reach double figure scoring in each game this season.
Titans Tabbed 7th in Big West Media Poll
The Cal State Fullerton women's basketball team was picked to finish seventh in the 2012-13 Big West Conference race according to a vote of league media members released by the conference office on Oct. 23. The Titans received 59 points to finish just behind, UC Davis which was sixth with 72 points. Cal Poly managed to edge out Hawai'i as the favorite to take home the conference crown with 17 first place votes and 177 points overall. Hawai'i was tabbed second with 159 points (three first place votes), Cal State Northridge third with 121 points, Long Beach State fourth with 120 votes, UC Santa Barbara fifth with 100 points, UC Davis sixth with 72 points, UC Irvine with 54 points, and UC Riverside ninth with 38 points.
Giving Back to the Community
The Titans took time out of their day on Monday, Dec. 16 to do some holiday shopping and wrapping for a family in need during the holiday season. Through the Healthy Start program, the team was able to provide presents for the family.
Straight From the Coach's Mouth
Be sure to visit www.fullertontitans.com and click on the women's basketball page to watch the 2013-14 women's basketball preview video featuring head coach Daron Park.
By the Numbers
Cal State Fullerton returns 91 percent of its 1,779 points scored, 91 percent of its rebounds, 90 percent of its field goals made, 68 percent of its free throws made, and 67 percent of its block shots from a season ago.
Hit Me Your Best Shot
Cal State Fullerton boasts a rigorous 13-game non-conference schedule that includes one road contest against No. 23 Iowa State, according to the AP Preseason Poll. The Titans first road test will come in New York to face off against Albany and Columbia. Later in the month, Fullerton travels to Northern California compete against Toledo and Alabama in the SMC Hilton Concord Classic. Six of the Titans' 13 non-conference affairs will be played away from Titan Gym.
California Dreamin'
All 13 players on the roster call California home and all are natives of Southern California.
New Kids on the Block
The Titans welcome two new faces to the squad for the 2013-14 season. Here is more on the true freshmen ready to make an impact for the team this season:
Chelsea Waddy • F/C • 6-1 • Rialto Carter High School, Calif.
Was a four-year letterwinning forward for the Rialto Carter High School basketball program, also played varsity tennis for four seasons...earned all-league honorable mention honors all four years...earned First-Team All-League honors and was named team MVP for basketball both her junior and senior seasons. Led her team in points per game (12.9), total points (336), total blocked shots (89), rebounds per game (12.2), and total rebounds (317) last season.
Samantha Logan • G/F • 5-9 • Centennial High School, Calif.
Played four seasons for the Centennial basketball team, two seasons of softball, and even a season of football her senior year...her senior season she earned the coach's excellence award, made First Team All-League, named MVP in all three tournaments Centennial played in, and made Third Team All-County...she also played quarterback for Centennial's CIF Championship football team her senior year...she went 2-for-4 with 42 passing yards (father Matt is the head coach of the Centennial football program).
Join the "Tipoff Club
The Cal State Fullerton women's basketball program invites fans and supporters of the Titans to join the "Tipoff Club," a club created to allow fans to become engaged specifically with the Fullerton women's basketball team.
Membership benefits include an opportunity to support and improve the quality of the program, a regular newsletter with insights from the coaching staff, a lanyard to gain access to select pregame chalk talks, and an invitation to participate in special events with the team.
For more information or to make a gift to the women's basketball team and become a member of the "Tipoff Club," please make a gift by visiting: https://giving.fullerton.edu/giving/giving.aspx?szAccount_no=95993
Big West Sportsmanship Award
The Cal State Fullerton women's basketball program was selected as one of two recipients for the 2013 Big West Winter Sportsmanship Award it was announced on March 22 by Big West Commissioner Dennis Farrell.
The Sportsmanship Award is voted upon in each of the conference's 16 championship sports by the respective student-athletes. Each participating student-athlete selects the school that they feel demonstrates excellent conduct in competition and is most deserving of the award. The winning teams are chosen at the end of every season (Fall, Winter and Spring).