Weekly Release (PDF)
TIP-OFF
After winning two out of the first three games of a season-high six game road trip, the Titans remain on the road Wednesday with a contest against Denver at Magness Arena at 6:00 p.m. The Titans will then travel to Vermillion, S.D. to take on South Dakota at Dakota Dome on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
WATCH IT LIVE
There will be a live video feed available for Cal State Fullerton's games vs. Denver at Magness Arena on Wednesday through CollegeSportsLive.com, and Saturday's game vs South Dakota (subscription required) through DakotaCast.com. To access video for the games visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the women's basketball schedule page then click the "video" link.
LISTEN LIVE
Audio streaming will be available for Cal State Fullerton's game vs. Denver through the live video stream only. Audio will be available on Saturday against South Dakota through kvht.com. To access audio for the games visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the women's basketball schedule page then click the "video" link.
LIVE STATS
There will be live stats available for Cal State Fullerton's games vs. Denver on Wednesday and South Dakota on Saturday. 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 (2-4) vs. Denver (0-5)
Overall record...................................................................1-0
Home Record....................................................................1-0
Away Record.....................................................................0-0
Neutral Site Record...........................................................0-0
Longest Win Streak..............................................................1
Longest Losing Streak..........................................................0
Current Streak.................................................................W 1
Record in Last 10 Meetings................................................1-0
Last Meeting......................................Jan. 3, 2014 (W, 63-56)
Cal State Fullerton (2-4) vs. South Dakota (4-2)
Overall Record..................................................................0-1
Home Record....................................................................0-1
Away Record.....................................................................0-0
Neutral Site Record...........................................................0-0
Longest Win Streak..............................................................0
Longest Losing Streak...........................................................1
Current Streak...................................................................L 1
Record in Last 10 Meetings................................................0-1
Last Meeting .....................................Nov. 8, 2013 (L, 66-57)
SERIES NOTES
DENVER:
This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams at Magness Arena, with the only other contest being a Fullerton win, 63-56, at Titan Gym Jan. 3, 2014.
SOUTH DAKOTA:
This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams at Dakota Dome, with the only other contest being a Fullerton loss, 66-57, at Titan Gym on Nov. 8, 2013.
FULLERTON'S RECENT RESULTS
Nov. 28 vs Eastern Michigan
Fullerton lost its opening game of the Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Classic on Friday morning at Pan American Center, 78-74, to Eastern Michigan behind Cha Sweeney's 20 points and Jamaica Bucknor's 16 points.
The Titans dominated the second half of play for the second-straight game, outscoring the Eagles 48-38. The offense ran through Kathleen Iwuoha as the senior produced her first double-double of the season, pouring in a game-high 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. CSF used a season-high 19 offensive rebounds to keep the score close by scoring 21 second-chance points in the game. But Eastern Michigan did just enough in the second half to hold off the Titans, however, shooting 37 percent from the field and 25 percent from three-point territory.
Nov. 29 at New Mexico State
Led by Chante Miles' 18-point, four-assist performance, the Cal State Fullerton women's basketball team defeated New Mexico State, 66-51, as part of the Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Classic at the Pan American Center on Saturday afternoon.
Miles was one of four Titans scoring in double figures –a season-best for CSF– as Kathleen Iwuoha scored 15 points and added three rebounds.
Freshman Daeja Smith produced the first double-double of her career with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, while adding a career-high three blocks. Senior guard Tailer Bulter poured in 10 points and a season-high nine rebounds.
BREAKING DOWN DENVER
After missing the NCAA Tournament by just one win a season ago the Pioneers are relying on strong senior leadership and a young, talented roster to fill the void left by five graduating seniors.
Paige Bradley returns to the Denver squad this season after being honored with a spot on the Summit League First Team and the Summit League All-Tournament Team last season. Bradley is leading the Pioneers offense this season, averaging 9.0 points in 28 minutes on the floor per night. She is followed closely by Jordan Johnston who is averaging 8.0 points per game while pulling down 5.4 rebounds per contest.
Denver has opened the season on a five game losing streak after losing to Belmont, 72-43, on Saturday afternoon at Magness Arena. Belmont forced Denver into 19 turnovers and held a 60-36 rebounding advantage over the Pioneers.
BREAKING DOWN SOUTH DAKOTA
After winning the Summit League Championship and making its first ever appearance in the Division I NCAA Tournament a year ago, the Coyotes return four starters and several key reserves for the 2014-15 season.
USD has started 4-2 with an impressive non-conference schedule by taking on the likes of Kansas, Washington and Marquette right out of the gates.
Leading the Coyotes this season are two returning seniors, Raeshel Contreras and Nicole Seekamp. Contreras comes into this week averaging 19.3 points per game with 10 steals in 26.8 minutes played per game. Close behind Contreras is Seekamp who is averaging 15.2 points per game with a team-high 22 assists on the season.
In their last time out, Contreras dropped a season-high 27 points as the Coyotes scored six points in the final 15 seconds to top Marquette, 69-65, at the Al McGuire Center on Sunday afternoon.
CONFERENCE CALL
Cal State Fullerton is 3-2 all-time against the Summit League.
CAREER NIGHTS
Chante Miles: The guard from Compton, Calif. could not be stopped Nov. 24 at Weber State as she dropped 35 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and was 6-of-9 from behind the arc. Not only did Miles light up the scoreboard, but she also got her teammates involved in the game, tying her season-high in assists with six.
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 Nov 18.
Daeja Smith: Freshman Daeja Smith produced the first double-double of her career Saturday afternoon against New Mexico State, dropping 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, while adding a career-high three blocks.
RETURNERS LEAD THE WAY
Chante Miles and a trio of other returning players for CSF made the difference in the first win of the seaon against Weber State on Nov. 24, as the Titans received a career-high 35 points from Miles to go along with 12-point efforts from both sophomore Samantha Logan and senior Tailer Butler. Kathleen Iwuoha, another senior, just missed a double-double as she dominated the boards with 10 rebounds and added seven points.
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
The Fullerton coaching staff will be looking to Kathleen Iwuoha and Chante Miles to lead this team all season. The two seniors have not dissapointed so far as Miles leads the team in minutes per game (37.2), points per game (18.0), three-point shots made per game (3.17), and free throw percentage (89%). Iwuoha has been dominant on the boards this season, getting into double figures in rebounds for three of the Titans first six games. She has pulled down a team-high 6.2 total rebounds per game, and a team-high 3.0 offensive rebounds per game this season.
SPREADING OUT THE MINUTES
Everybody on the Titan roster has been able to contribute to the team so far this season. With only six games under their belt, all of Fullerton's 11 student-athletes have been called upon for important minutes. Chante Miles leads the team with 37.2 minutes per game, with sophmore Samantha Logan right behind her with 32.2 minutes per game.
INDIVIDUALS IN THE BIG WEST (2014-15 Statistics)
Chante Miles: 37.2 m.p.g. • 25 asst. • 6 stl. • 18.0 p.p.g
Kathleen Iwuoha: 24.5 m.p.g. • 85% FT • 6.2 r.p.g • 10.2 p.p.g.
Samantha Logan: 32.2 m.p.g • 5.5 r.p.g • 36% 3FG • 5.5 p.p.g.
Amanda Tivenius: 18.7 m.p.g. • 4.5 p.p.g • 4.2 r.p.g.
Daeja Smith: 21.5 m.p.g. • 39% FG • 60% FT • 6.5 p.p.g
Tailer Butler: 21.2 m.p.g. • 40% 3FG • 4.8 r.p.g • 6.0 p.p.g.
BY THE NUMBERS
Senior guard Chante Miles scored a career-high 35 points Nov. 24 versus Weber State, and tied a season-high dishing out six assists.
Kathleen Iwuoha posted her first double-doulbe of the season on Friday against Eastern Michigan, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Freshman Daeja Smith earned her first double-double of her career at Fullerton, scoring 10 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in the win at New Mexico State on Saturday.
Senior Tailer Butler caught fire from deep Nov. 24 at Weber State, scoring a season-high 12 points by draining 4-of-6 from behind the three-point line.
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.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TRACKER
Kathleen Iwouha
Nov. 28 vs Eastern Michigan - Iwouha scored a season-high 24 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in a 78-74 loss to Eastern Michigan in the Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Classic opener.
Daeja Smith
Nov. 29 at New Mexico State - Freshman Daeja Smith produced the first double-double of her career Saturday afternoon against New Mexico State, dropping 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, while adding a career-high three blocks.
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.
BUFFALO WILD WINGS STUDENT ATHLTE OF THE WEEK
Dec. 1
Chante Miles - 25.3 points per game, 3.3 assists per game, 38.0 mintues per game
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.
Daeja 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.
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.
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 "PARK'S PACK"
The Cal State Fullerton women's basketball program invites fans and supporters of the Titans to join "Park's Pack," 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 "Park's Pack," please make a gift by visiting: http://fullertontitans.com/get_involved/Park-s_Pack
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.
