Weekly Release (PDF)
TIP-OFF
Fullerton returns to Titan Gym after a one game road trip to take on Villanova at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Titans will then begin a season-high six- game road trip, starting with a matchup against Weber State at 6:00 p.m. on Monday at Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah.
WATCH IT LIVE
There will be a live video feed available for Cal State Fullerton's games vs. Villanova and at Weber State. To access video for the games visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the women's basketball schedule page then click the "video" link to watch through BigWest.tv on Friday and America ONE Sports on Monday.
LISTEN LIVE
There will be live audio streaming available for Cal State Fullerton's game vs. Villanova. To access audio for the games visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the women's basketball schedule page then click the "audio" link. Audio will be available on Monday through the live video link.
LIVE STATS
There will be live stats available for Cal State Fullerton's games vs. Villanova and at Weber State. To access live stats for the games 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/FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans), Instagram (FullertonTitans) and YouTube.com (YouTube.com/csfathletics). The women's basketball team has also established its own official Facebook (Facebook.com/WBBTitans), Twitter (@WBBTitans) and Instagram (WBB_Titans).
A LOOK AT THE SERIES
Cal State Fullerton (0-2) vs. Villanova (0-2)
Overall record..........................0-0
Home Record ..........................0-0
Away Record ...........................0-0
Neutral Site Record .................0-0
Longest Win Streak ....................0
Longest Losing Streak ................0
Current Streak ...........................0
Record in Last 10 Meetings.......0-0
Last Meeting................ First meeting
Cal State Fullerton (0-2) vs. Weber State (2-0)
Overall Record.............................2-1
Home Record ..............................2-1
Away Record ..............................0-0
Neutral Site Record ....................0-0
Longest Win Streak .......................2
Longest Losing Streak ...................1
Current Streak ...........................L 1
Record in Last 10 Meetings.........2-1
Last Meeting .............................Dec. 28, 1995 (L, 59-69)
SERIES NOTES
VILLANOVA:
This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams.
WEBER STATE:
It has been 19 years since the Titans and Wilcats' last meeting in 1995 when Weber State beat the Titans 69-59 at Titan Gym. Fullerton won the first two meetings between the schools, beating the Wildcats 71-53 in 1987 and 69-59 in 1989.
FULLERTON'S LAST TIME OUT
The Cal State Fullerton women's basketball team lost its second consecutive game to open the 2014-15 season to San Diego, 60-54, at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on Tuesday night behind a double-double from USD's Sophia Ederaine (13 points, 10 rebounds) and a game-high 18 points from Katherine Hamilton.
The Titans (0-2) gave the Toreros a scare in the last minutes of the game with a furious three-point barrage that shrunk USD's second-half lead from its highest at 52-35, down to 58-54 with under one minute left. In the last five minutes of the game the Titans went 5-of-5 from beyond the three-point line, with Samantha Logan and Portia Neale draining two each, and Chante Miles making one.
BREAKING DOWN VILLANOVA
Picked to finish third in the Big East conference, the Wildcats return four starters and nine letterwinners from last year's team that went 23-9 overall and 12-6 in Big East play.
Returning junior guard Caroline Coyer was named to the preseason All-Big East team this season after being named Big East Sixth Man of the Year last year as a sophomore. Coyer averaged 10.2 points per game, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists a year ago.
Villanova kicked off its season at the Chatanooga Tournament to play the host team Chatanooga and American Athletic Confrence opponent South Florida.
The Wildcats have started slow this season with an 0-2 mark after dropping their season opener to Chatanooga 49-45 and losing a heartbreaking game in the final minutes to South Florida 57-56.
Villanova has played its opponents close this season, losing its first two games by a combined five points.
BREAKING DOWN WEBER STATE
After losing only one senior last year, Weber State returns eight players this season including seniors Brianna Averette, Carlee Lough and Zakyiaah Shahid-Martin, juniors Regina Okoye, Jalen Carpenter, Tinisha Toussaint, and sophomore Deeshyra Thomas.
Weber State has started the season with a 2-0 record for the second time in the past two years after beating Montana Western 77-31 to open the season and Bristol University 94-48.
Kallie Quinn is the one to watch out for on the Wildcat roster averaging 14.5 points per game, and leading the team on the defensive boards, pulling down six per contest.
CONFERENCE CALL
Cal State Fullerton is 2-1 all-time against the Big East Conference, and 14-17 all-time versus Big Sky Conference opponents.
CAREER NIGHTS
Amanda Tivenius: The freshman from Lindingo, Sweden scored a career-high 16 points on a very efficient 6-of-8 shooting from the floor against San Diego on Tuesday. She was not just a force on offense as she added six rebounds, five on the defensive end, and one block.
Daeja Smith: Smith is another freshman that contributed heavily to the Titans first two games of the season. She was on fire in the second half of the game against Montana State on Sunday, pouring in six points on 3-of-4 shooting while playing 19 minutes in the game. Over Fullerton's first two games, Smith is averaging a team-high 9.5 points per game.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Senior guard Chante Miles is setting the tone early for the Titans this season. After scoring a team-high 12 points in the season opener at Titan Gym against Montana State, she followed up with a six point, six assist night on Tuesday in the loss to San Diego. Miles has been a fixture on the floor this season for Fullerton, averaging 34.5 minutes per game, only trailing Samantha Logan (35.5 minutes per game) for first on the team.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
The Fullerton coaching staff will be looking to Kathleen Iwuoha this season to do exactly what she did against Montana State in the Titans first game of the regular season; score and rebound. The senior was in double-figures in rebounds with 11 and just missed a double-double scoring seven.
INDIVIDUALS IN THE BIG WEST (2014-15 Statistics)
Chante Miles: 34.5 m.p.g. • 12 asst. • 3 stl. • 9.0 p.p.g
Kathleen Iwuoha: 18.0 m.p.g. • 75% FT • 5.5 r.p.g • 3.5 p.p.g.
Samantha Logan: 35.5 m.p.g • 5.0 r.p.g • 30% 3FG • 4.5 p.p.g.
Amanda Tivenius: 21.5 m.p.g. • 9.0 p.p.g • 4.0 r.p.g.
Daeja Smith: 22.0 m.p.g. • 50% FG • 70% FT • 9.5 p.p.g
Lakyn Gulley: 28.5 m.p.g. • .5 s.p.g • 3.5 r.p.g • 4.5 p.p.g.
TITANS SIXTH IN BIG WEST POLL
The Big West Preseason Media Poll was released on Oct. 22 with the Titans picked to finish sixth during the 2014-15 season. After sweeping both the regular season and conference tournament titles last season, CSUN is the favorite to take home the crown once again this season. Hawai'i checked in behind the Matadors, earning one first place vote. Cal Poly was voted to finish third after back-to-back trips to the Big West tournament finals and UC Davis finishes the top half of the poll at fourth. Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara round out the rest of the poll.
BY THE NUMBERS
Junior forward Natalie Williams led the Titans with 14 blocked shots last season and is now tied with Charlee Underwood (2003-2007) for eighth on the all-time career shot blockers list at Cal State Fullerton.
Kathleen Iwuoha grabbed in a season-high 11 rebounds and added seven points Sunday against Montana State.
Senior guard Chante Miles scored a season-high 12 points Sunday versus Montana State, and dished out a season-high six assists in a loss to San Diego on Tuesday.
HIT ME WITH YOUR BEST SHOT
Cal State Fullerton's 2014-15 slate will feature eight teams that were either in the NCAA tournament or WNIT postseason tournaments a year ago, with five of those matchups appearing in the non-conference schedule.
"I'm very excited about our upcoming non-conference schedule," said Park. "I think it is a great schedule filled with great tests that ultimately will prepare us for the Big West Conference. Villanova and Albany are two great teams that we get the opportunity to play here at home. Both are extremely well-coached. We played Albany last year at their place and they are extremely talented. We will have to be at our best early to compete with those teams. Certainly tough road trips in state to Fresno State and San Diego, but it's important to play those teams. They are what we are aspiring to be eventually. "
GLOBE TROTTING
Fullerton's global reach became a little longer this season with two newcomers from outside of the U.S. Freshman Amanda Tivenius hailing from Lindingo, Sweden, and Dhanyel Johnson from Spanish Town, Jamaica.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
The Titans welcome five new faces to the squad for the 2014-15 season. Here is more on the transfers and true freshmen ready to make an impact this season:
Lakyn Gulley • G • 5-7 • South Side HS, Ind.
Four-year varsity starter for South Side High School in Fort Wayne, Ind...averaged 7.3 points, 2.0 assists, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game as a junior...during her junior year, Gulley helped lead the Archers to a 24-4 overall record, a perfect 10-0 league mark, and a trip to the Indiana State Championship game before eventually falling to Bedford North Lawrence 54-51…recorded a career-high 18 points when she knocked down 6-for-7 from three-point range vs. Fort Wayne Canterbury on Nov. 28, 2012…contributed a career-high six steals vs. Fort Wayne Bishop on Dec. 27, 2012…named to the 2012 all-conference team...had eight double-digit scoring games and 15 games with at least two three-point field goals…plays for Pal Elite Fort Wayne AAU team.
Dhanyel Johnson • C • 6-3 • St. Andrews HS, Spanish Town, Jamaica
Played one season (2013-14) for Clarendon College in Clarendon, Texas, under head coach Brand Vanden-Boogard…averaged 4.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks …posted career highs of 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 blocks.
Portia Neale • G • 5-8 • Clovis West HS, Calif.
Played four seasons for the Eagles under head coach Craig Campbell... was named the All-Valley Defensive Player of the year during her junior and senior seasons... voted the Tri-River league and team's most valuable player during her senior season... during her junior season, she was voted to the all-league first team and was the co-mvp for the Eagles... named the team's top defensive player during her freshman and sophomore seasons... also ran two seasons of track, while being named to the All-league team during her freshman season... also competed in three seasons of badminton at Clovis West.
Deija Smith • C • 6-3 • Etiwanda HS, Calif.
Played four seasons for the Eagles under head coach Craig Campbell... was named the All-Valley Defensive Player of the year during her junior and senior seasons... voted the Tri-River league and team's most valuable player during her senior season... during her junior season, she was voted to the all-league first team and was the co-mvp for the Eagles... named the team's top defensive player during her freshman and sophomore seasons... also ran two seasons of track, while being named to the All-league team during her freshman season... also competed in three seasons of badminton at Clovis West.
Amanda Tivenius • G/F • 6-0 • Hersbey Gymnasium, Lindingo, Sweden
A 2014 graduate of Hersby Gymnasium in Lidingö, Sweden…played one season at Basketligan Dam and two seasons at Basketettan…averaged 10.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game in 35 minutes per game in her first season at Basketten…averaged 13.0 points, 12.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.18 steals per game in her second season…scored 26 points, had 15 rebounds and four assists in her best game…averaged 3.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in her first season in the Basketliegan…scored nine points and added 11 rebounds in her best game…won an award for the best student of French in 2014.
A LOOK BACK
Cal State Fullerton finished the season 12-18 overall and 8-8 in the Big West conference under first year head coach Daron Park. The 2013-14 squad had its most conference wins since the 2009-10 season and secured its eighth double-digit win season in the last nine years.
JOIN THE "TIP-OFF" 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
THE PARK ERA CONTINUES
In his first season at the helm of the Cal State Fullerton women's basketball program, Daron Park guided the Titans to a 12-18 overall record and 8-8 record in the Big West Conference. After many years as an associate head coach, interim head coach, and assistant, Park helped three Titans earn All-Big West Conference honors. Park is the first male head coach in Cal State Fullerton women's basketball history and recorded his first win as the head coach of the Titans on Nov. 22, 2013 versus Columbia.
GAMES TO WATCH IN 2014-15
Nov. 16 • vs Montana State – Season opener for the Titans and coach Park facing his alma mater.
Nov. 21 • vs. Villanova – First time the Titans will square off against the Wildcats in school history. Also, a tough test vs. a 2014 WNIT team (23-9 overall, 12-6 Big East Conference).
Dec. 6 • at South Dakota – Early season road test for the Titans versus the 2013 Summit League Champions and rematch of last year's season opener that South Dakota won 66-57 at Titan Gym.
Dec. 14 • at Fresno State – A week after facing off against South Dakota, the Titans will travel north to face another NCAA Tournament team from a year ago.
Dec. 21 • vs. Albany – 2014 NCAA Tournament team and America East defending champions comes to Titan Gym to face the Titans.
Jan. 8 • vs. UC Riverside – Big West Season and home opener
Jan. 31 • at Long Beach State – First time the two teams will play since the Titans fell to the 49ers in the 2014 Big West Tournament first round at The Pyramid.
Feb. 7 • at Cal State Northridge – Titans will head on the road to take on the 2014 Big West Tournament Champions led by last year's conference player of the year Ashlee Guay.
Feb. 28 • vs. Long Beach State – The Titans and 49ers square off for the second time during the 2014-15 season, but this time at Titan Gym.
Mar. 5 • vs. UC Irvine – Cal State Fullerton's Senior Night
*For tickets to Titan women's basketball games log onto www.FullertonTitans.com and click the "Tickets" link.
