Cal State Fullerton at UC Riverside
Riverside, Calif. | Student Rec Center
Thursday, January 9, 2014 | 7:00 p.m.
Game Coverage: Live Stats | Video | Audio | UC Riverside Notes
Cal State Fullerton Game Notes (PDF)
FULLERTON, Calif.- After winning three of its last four non-conference games, the Cal State Fullerton women's basketball (4-9 overall) team travels to UC Riverside for the start of Big West Conference play. The Titans and Highlanders will face off on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Student Rec Center.
Watch it Live
There will be a live video feed available for Cal State Fullerton's game at UC Riverside. 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.
Listen Live
There will be live audio streaming available for Cal State Fullerton's game at UC Riverside. To access audio for the game visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the women's basketball schedule page then click the "audio" link.
Live Stats
There will be live stats available for Cal State Fullerton's game at UC Riverside. 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 official Facebook (Facebook.com/WBBTitans) and Twitter pages (@WBBTitans).
A Look at the Series...
Cal State Fullerton (4-9) at UC Riverside (4-9)
Overall Record... 20-23
Home Record... 10-9
Away Record... 9-10
Neutral Site Record... 1-4
Big West Record... 7-17
Longest Win Streak... 7 games
Longest Losing Streak... 6 games
Current Streak... Loss 1
Record in Last 10 Meetings... 3-7
Last Meeting...Feb. 9, 2013 at Fullerton, Calif. (L, 64-45)
Series Game-by-Game (Last five meetings)
02.09.13 Fullerton, Calif. L 64-45
01.12.13 Riverside, Calif. W 54-49
02.22.12 Fullerton, Calif. W 66-43
01.21.12 Riverside, Calif. L 69-65
02.05.11 Fullerton, Calif. L 74-60
Series Note: Thursday marks the 44th meeting all-time meeting between the two schools... Fullerton split the season series with UC Riverside last season...The Titans have won the last two of three meetings, but dropped the prior five contests...the Titans are 7-17 against the Highlanders in Big West Conference play...Fullerton's largest margin of victory was a 88-14 (74 pts) win Jan. 16, 1975 at Fullerton...Fullerton's largest margin of defeat was a 63-37 loss in Anaheim, Calif., at the Big West Conference tournament on March 9, 2005...the Titans are 1-4 in their past five games in Riverside, Calif.
Scouting the Highlanders
UC Riverside enters the 2013-14 season looking to build off a 2012-13 campaign that saw the Pioneers finish with a 11-18 record (4-14 BWC). UC Riverside is off to a 4-9 start and has dropped its last six contests. The Highlanders were picked to finish ninth in the Big West Conference in 2013-14.
The Highlanders are under the direction of tenth-year head coach John Margaritis. UC Riverside is led by sophomore guard Brittany Crain, who is averaging 18.9 points per game and 6.1 rebounds this season. However, Crain has missed the last two games due to an injury. Senior center Natasha Hadley has contributed 11.9 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Sophomore guard Annelise Ito will be another strong option for the Highlanders at guard. The Moraga, Calif., native has averaged 11.1 points per game and grabbed 7.3 rebounds per game. Riverside is averaging 67.8 points this season, while allowing 75.2 points per game. The Highlanders are shooting 41 percent from the field and 29 percent from behind the arc.
Conference Call
The Titans are 194-296 (.396) all-time against Big West Conference foes. Fullerton was 7-14 last season against league foes and won two games in the conference tournament before losing to Pacific in the semifinals.
Last Time Out for the Titans
Junior guard Chante Miles scored 20 points and senior guard Alex Thomas chipped in 16 points as a second half surge helped the Cal State Fullerton Titans pull away for a 63-56 victory over the Denver Pioneers Friday night at Titan Gym.
The Titans entered the second half trailing by five points, 30-25, but Fullerton rallied after intermission led by Miles who scored 13 of her 20 points in the second half on 6-of-13 shooting. Thomas also helped Fullerton put the game away as she knocked down all eight of her attempts from the charity stripe. Junior forward Natalie Williams added 10 points in the victory.
Denver was led by sophomore guard Kailey Edwards who poured in 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting. The Pioneers had a strong presence down low as senior forward Desiree Hunter grabbed 17 rebounds in the loss.
Fullerton (4-9) came out of the gates ready to play, as it claimed an early 7-2 lead after Miles scored the first five Titan points. However, Denver (2-11) soon responded, fueled by Edwards who scored 10 quick points to put the Pioneers ahead 14-13 with 11:04 remaining in the half.
Over the next five minutes Fullerton and Denver traded baskets, but the Pioneers extended their lead over the next three minutes and took their biggest lead of the half, 27-20, with 3:46 remaining. The Titans slowly tried to close the deficit as a Chelsea Austin layup helped the Titans close the gap 30-25 at the half.
As a team Cal State Fullerton had a .300 shooting percentage (9-of-30), while the Pioneers knocked down 46.7 percent (14-of-30) of their opportunities. Miles added seven first half points, while Iwuoha contributed four points and three rebounds.
Just like the first half, Fullerton opened the second half on an 8-2 run and took a 33-32 lead after freshman Samantha Logan knocked down a three-pointer with 15:29 left.
After keeping it close for the next six minutes, a 6-2 run fueled by two Mile's baskets gave the Titans a 47-40 lead with 6:55 left in the game. Fullerton then stretched their lead to nine, 54-45, with 3:30 remaining after Williams added a pair of baskets off the bench. In the final minutes, the Titans were able to hold off the Pioneers after knocking down key free throws.
Fullerton finished the night shooting 33 percent from the field and 20 percent from behind the arc, while the Pioneers connected on 36.7 percent of their shots. The Titans outscored Denver 26-14 in the paint and besides Hunter's 17 rebound performance the Titans outrebounded the Pioneers 41-40, which included 15 offensive rebounds.
Big West Openers
Entering its 29th year in the Big West the Titans are 12-16 overall in Big West Openers...the Titans have won their last six of seven conference openers and defeated Hawai'i last season 83-74 at Titan Gym...Fullerton is 5-10 in Big West openers on the road and has never played UCR to open up conference play.
Annie Park
Sophomore guard Annie Park has decided to transfer out of the program. The Torrance, Calif., native appeared in four games this season and was named to the All-Big West freshman team last season.
Miles Named Sports Madness Player of the Week
Junior guard Chante Miles was named the Sports Madness Player of the Week after pouring in 20 points on 6-of-13 shooting in last week's 63-56 victory over Denver. The Compton, Calif., native also recorded four rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Where We Rank
Entering conference play lets see where's the Titans rank amongst other Big West opponents. Fullerton ranks first in the Big West Conference in scoring defense (64.5 ppg), third in defensive rebounding (38.2 rpg), third in defensive rebounding percentage (.657), fifth in three-pointers made per game (5.7) and fifth in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.84).
What's Trending
Fullerton has recorded two or more double-digit scorers in 12 of 13 games this season...the Titans bench has outscored the opponent's bench in six contests this season...Fullerton has committed more turnovers than the opposition in seven of 13 games this season, but has not committed more than their opponents in the last four games...the Titans have used six different starting lineups this season...Fullerton has scored more points in the paint and grabbed more offensive rebounds in the last three contests.
From the Charity Stripe
In the final moments of the game on Jan. 3 versus Denver, the Titans knocked down multiple clutch free throws and made 19 total (19-23) in the game. The 19 free throws ties a season high this season. (Arizona State, 12/14). Alex Thomas went a perfect 8-for-8 from the line in the win and set a new career high for free throws in a game. Thomas previously had converted a high of seven in three separate contests with the last time coming against Columbia on Nov. 22.
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 15.0 and 6.9 points per game starting with Chante Miles (15.0 ppg), followed by Kathleen Iwuoha (10.9 ppg), while Alex Thomas chips in 8.6 ppg.
Cleaning Up
Junior forward Kathleen Iwuoha has led Fullerton in rebounding in its last six contests and in eight of 13 games this season. Over the past six games she has averaged 8.7 rebounds per game and this season she leads the team in overall rebounding (7.2 rpg).
Points in the Paint
The Titans have scored more points in the paint in the last four of five games. Fullerton was last outscored in the key by No. 24 Arizona State 30-16 on Dec. 14 at Titan Gym.
Individuals in the Big West
After 13 games multiple Titans individually rank at the top of statistical categories for the Big West Conference. Junior Chante Miles is eigth in scoring (15.0 ppg), fourth in assists (4.2 apg), and first in minutes played (36.6 mpg). Kathleen Iwuoha is ranked second in field goal percentage (.529), fifth in rebounds (7.2 rpg), sixth in offensive rebounds (2.74 pg), and seventh in defensive rebounds (4.42 rpg). Forward Natalie Williams is tied for seventh in blocked shots per game (0.9 bpg). Samantha Logan is ranked ninth in three-point field goal percentage (.375) and fifth in three-pointers made (1.62 pg), tied for ninth in defensive rebound (4.0 rpg), and 14th in rebounding (5.9 rpg). Senior Alex Thomas is ranked sixth in minutes (33.4 mpg).
Miles' 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.
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 also 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 has picked up three straight victories at home (Seattle, New Mexico State, Denver).
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.
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 six rebounds to reach the 300 career mark.
Scoring Threat
Chante Miles has averaged 15.0 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 12 of 13 games this season and has 32 total in her career. Last season the junior guard had 19 double-digit scoring games.
The Second Half, Times Two
Fullerton has scored 53.0 percent (397/749) 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 61.0 points per game compared to its current 57.6 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 14th best in the Big West, while her defensive rebounding ranks tied for ninth.
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 13 games, junior guard Chante Miles is fourth in the Big West in assists. The Compton, Calif., native has 54 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.
Bench Production
The Titans' bench has produced 159 of Fullerton's 749 total points scored this season (21 percent)...the CSUF bench has been outscored by opposition's bench 159-202 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 326 of Fullerton's 749 points this season (44%). Miles has 12 ten double-digit scoring games this season, including four 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).