Cal State Fullerton Notes 
| Hawai'i Notes
| Cal State Northridge Notes (HTML)
FULLERTON, Calif.-- Cal State Fullerton takes its season-high tying two-game win streak into Big West play when it opens up the conference season Thursday night at 7 p.m. vs. Hawai'i in Titan Gym. The Titans will then close out the homestand with Cal State Northridge Saturday at 3 p.m.
There will be a live video feed available for Cal State Fullerton's games vs. Hawai'i and Cal State Northridge. 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.
There will be live audio streaming available for Cal State Fullerton's games vs. Hawai'i and Cal State Northridge. To access audio for the games visit www.fullertontitans.com, click the women's basketball schedule page then click the "audio" link. Patrick Alog will be providing play-by-play, while Gurajpalpreet Sangha will serve as the color commentator.
There will be live stats available for Cal State Fullerton's games vs. Hawai'i and Cal State Northridge. 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 (CSUF.Athletics), Twitter (@FullertonTitans) and YouTube.com (YouTube.com/csfathletics). In addition, the women's basketball team has established its own official Facebook and Twitter pages (@WBBTitans)
A Look at the Series...
Cal State Fullerton (4-8) vs. Hawai'i (4-7)
Overall Record 12-12
Home Record 6-7
Away Record 5-5
Neutral Site Record 1-0
Longest Win Streak 9 games
Longest Losing Streak 7 games
Current Streak Lost 2
Record in Last 10 Meetings 2-8
First Meeting
Dec. 17, 1983 in Fullerton (W, 64-45)
Last Meeting
Feb. 25, 1996 in Honolulu (L, 86-61)
Last Meeting at Titan Gym
Jan. 26, 1996 (L, 66-72)
Series Notes: Thursday will mark the 25th all-time meeting between these schools, and the first since the 1995-96 season, which was also the final year of Hawai'i's first stint in the Big West...Fullerton's last win over Hawai'i came on Feb. 12, 1995, where the Titans won 84-68 at Titan Gym...the Titans' largest margin of victory was a 66-46 win (20 points) Jan. 25, 1987 in Honolulu...Fullerton's largest margin of defeat came the last time the two schools played, where the Titans lost 86-61 (25 points) Feb. 25, 1996...the Titans have dropped seven of their last eight contests at home vs. Hawai'i
Scouting Hawai'i
The Rainbow Wahine enter Big West play with a record of 4-7, but three of those losses have come to teams ranked in the top 25, including No. 2 Baylor and No. 3 Stanford. Hawai'i has also lost to San Francisco, an opponent Cal State Fullerton defeated earlier in the year...the Wahine Rainbow are led by junior forward Kamilah Martin, who averages 15.2 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Ashleigh Karaitiana has also had a solid campaign for Hawai'i thus far, posting an average of 8.8 points and five rebounds per contest. The Rainbow Wahine average 57.5 points per contest while they give up 64.7 points per game.
Cal State Fullerton (4-8) vs. Cal State Northridge (6-5)
Overall Record 32-12*
Home Record 14-5
Away Record 16-6
Neutral Site Record 1-1
Longest Win Streak 18 games
Longest Losing Streak 4 games
Current Streak Lost 3
Record in Last 10 Meetings 3-7
First Meeting
March 30, 1971 at Northridge (W, 79-35)
Last Meeting
March 3, 2012 at Northridge (L, 60-51)
Last Meeting at Titan Gym
Jan. 25, 2012 (L, 62-56 ot)
*venue unkown for one game
Series Notes: Cal State Fullerton suffered two losses by a combined 15 points last season to the Matadors...Mya Oliver nearly recorded a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 7 rebounds in the Titans' game in Northridge...Fullerton's largest margin of victory over the Matadors came in the first ever meeting on March 30, 1971, where the Titans won 79-35 (44 points) at Northridge...the Titans' largest margin of defeat came in an 84-59 loss (25 points) Nov. 28, 2000 at Northridge...Fullerton has dropped three of it's last four home games vs. the Matadors.
Noting Northridge
Cal State Northridge enters Big West play with a 6-5 overall record and is the preseason favorite to win the conference, according to the Big West's preseason media poll...The Matadors come into the game with a key non-conference win at No. 17 UCLA. Northridge also defeated Eastern Washington 66-44 and San Francisco 77-33, but lost to San Jose State 73-63 during non-conference play. Fullerton has also played those three opponents (defeating San Francisco and San Jose State, but losing to Eastern Washington)...the Matadors boast three players averaging double-figures in points in two-time Big West Player of the Week Ashlee Guay (14 ppg), Marta Masoni (13.8 ppg), and Janae Sharpe (10.0 ppg). Sophomore center Camille Mahlknecht leads the team in rebounding, averaging eight rebounds per game, while scoring 7.5 points per contest as well. Northridge averages 63.5 points per game, while it surrenders 60.5 per contest.
Last Time Out For the Titans
Mya Olivier produced Cal State Fullerton's second double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and grabbing 14 rebounds, as the Titans ended 2012 on a high note, rolling past the Columbia Lions 61-49 Monday afternoon at Titan Gym.
Sophomore guard Chante Miles led all scorers with 12 points, shooting 4-for-10 from the floor, as Tailer Butler also chipped in with 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting.
Brittany Simmons poured in 12 points, while Tyler Simpson put up 10 for the Lions in the loss.
Columbia (2-10) kept things close early, and actually led the Titans 11-9 after Simpson knocked down a mid-range jumper with 12:26 left to play in the first half.
After that, the Titans (4-8) suddenly found their offense, as they went on a 22-3 run over four-plus minutes, knocking down a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the three-point line during that span.
It only got worse from there for the Lions, as Fullerton continued to rack up the points, shooting a season-high 45.5 percent in the first half on 15-of-13 shooting.
The Titans also locked down defensively, as they forced 13 first half turnovers and held Columbia to just two points for the final 6:29 and 25 percent shooting overall for the period.
Fullerton ended the half on an impressive 9-0 scoring run and captured its largest halftime lead of the season at 42-18 going into the break.
It would be more of the same to start the second half, as Fullerton at one point grabbed what was its largest lead of the season, taking a commanding 48-21 advantage with 15:37 left to play in the game.
But then things started to get a little dicey for the Titans, as the Lions started to make a run of their own fueled by a feisty defense, which held Fullerton without a field goal for the final nine-plus minutes of action, while forcing 13 second half turnovers.
The Lions whittled the Titan lead to as close as 59-49 with 2:43 left to play in the game, but it turned out to be just too little, too late, as Columbia's offense struggled to find the bottom of the basket all game long, shooting just 28 percent for the contest.
Inside the Columbia Win
Monday's 61-49 over Columbia gave the Titans back-to-back wins for the first time since Nov. 11 and 17 vs. Sacramento State and San Francisco...Three Titans have scored in double figures in consecutive games for the first time since Feb. 25 and March 1, 2012 vs. UC Irvine and at Long Beach State...the 61 points scored was the most the Titans have scored since they produced 73 points Nov. 20 at Loyola Marymount...Fullerton held a 27-point lead (48-21) with 15:37 left to play in the game. It was the largest lead the Titans have had at any point this season...Monday was the first time Fullerton owned a double-digit lead since Nov. 11 vs. Sacramento State...Fullerton shot a season-high 43 percent from three-point land...Fullerton has now won three New Year's Eve contests in a row over the last three seasons.
How We Rank
As of Jan. 2, Cal State Fullerton leads the Big West in overall rebounding (43.4 rpg), offensive rebounding (19.9 rpg), offensive rebounding percentage (.416). The Titans also rank second in rebounding margin (+2.8), second in turnover margin (+1.50), and fourth in scoring defense (62.2 ppg)
What's Trending
Fullerton has committed less or the same amount of turnovers as the opposition in eight of its last 10 games...the Titans have had more offensive rebounds than the opponent in 10 of 12 games this season...Titans have led at halftime in two straight games, but only four times overall this season (3-1 in those contests)...Fullerton has been outscored in the paint in eight of its last 10 games.
Turning Turnovers into Points
Over the last three games, 35 percent of Fullerton's total points have come off turnovers (55/157)...51 percent (31/61) of the Titans' total points scored vs. Columbia on Monday came off of turnovers.
Feeling Homesick
The Titans have dropped 14 consecutive games away from home, dating back to Jan. 18, 2012 at UC Irvine...the Titans have dropped seven straight games away from home to start the season. It's the first time that's happened since Fullerton fell in seven consecutive games away from home to start the 2007-08 season.
Cal State Fullerton and Big West Openers
Fullerton is 11-16 all-time in Big West openers and 6-6 in home openers...the Titans had won six consecutive conference openers before dropping a 72-67 contest at Pacific last season...Fullerton has won three straight home openers and four of its last five...the Titans have never played Hawai'i in a conference opener.
Aloha Hawai'i!
The Big West Conference welcomes the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team back to the league for its second stint as a Big West women's basketball participant. The Rainbow Wahine were members of the Big West from 1984-1996.
Cal State Fullerton will play 18 conference games (one home, one away vs. Hawai'i added) instead of the traditional 16 games as has been done in years past. The Titans will still play 29 regular season games, two non-conference games have been subtracted. The top eight teams in the conference will still qualify for the Big West Tournament. San Diego State will return as the conference's 11th member, effective July 1, 2013.
Heartbreak City
Six of 12 games this season have been decided by five points or less. Fullerton is just 2-4 in those contests...in the four losses, Fullerton either had the lead, was tied, or was within one possession with under three minutes to play...at one point this season the Titans were 2-5 but still didn't have a negative point differential (449-449).
Living Pretty in the 60's
The Titans are 4-2 when scoring 60+ points this season, compared to an 0-6 mark when scoring under 60 points...Fullerton is 3-0 when scoring either 60 or 61 points this year.
A Golden Opportunity
The Titans are in the midst of a season-long four-game homestand which began with San Jose State on Dec. 22. So far Fullerton is 2-0 on the homestand with games still to play vs. Hawai'i on Thursday and Cal State Northridge on Saturday...the four opponents own a combined record of just 16-31 (.340).
Protecting the House
All four of Cal State Fullerton's wins this season have come at Titan Gym (4-1)...This is Fullerton's best five-game home start to a season since the 2006-07 campaign where Fullerton also began 4-1...the Titans have outscored opponents a combined 329-293 (+36) during home games this season...nearly 67 percent of the Titans' total wins since the 2005-06 season have come at home.
Finding the Right Mix
Cal State Fullerton has used seven different starting lineups this season and has only sent out the same starting five in consecutive games twice this season...Chante Miles is the only Titan to have started in every game.
Miles Ahead of the Rest
Chante Miles has scored double-figures in 10 of her first 12 games to start the season...Miles has scored 17+ points in five of 12 games this season...Miles' 18 points put up vs. Sacramento State on Nov. 11 marked the most points any Titan player not named Megan Richardson had scored since Mya Olivier went for a career-high 23 points Jan. 28, 2012 vs. Long Beach State....Miles has had three 18+ point performances since...Miles set or tied career scoring highs in three consecutive games from Nov. 11- 20, 2012...Miles currently leads the Titans in scoring (13.4 ppg), total points (161), field goals made (57), free throws made (2.3 fpg), assists (3.5 apg), steals (2.6 spg), and minutes (33.8 mpg).
That's More Like It
2011-12 Big West Honorable Mention Mya Olivier is starting to find her groove, scoring double-digit points in back-to-back games for the first time this season...Last time out vs. Columbia she recorded her eighth career double-double and set season highs in rebounds (14), blocks (3), and minutes played (36)...She tied season-highs in field goals made (4) and three-pointers made (2)...Her 14 rebounds vs. the Lions was the most by any Titan this season.
Cleaning Up the Mess
Slowly but surely, Kathleen Iwuoha is making her presence felt. She currently leads the team in overall rebounding (7.4 rpg), offensive rebounding (3.0 rpg), and defensive rebounding (4.4 rpg). Her overall rebounding ranks fifth in the conference while her offensive rebounding ranks sixth and defensive rebounding is tied for 10th. She's averaged eight rebounds per game over her last six appearances.
Bushong's Block Party
With Lauren Bushong's block at Gonzaga on Dec. 9 she recorded the 60th block of her career and overtook Toni Thomas (59, 2005-09) for sixth on the school's all-time block list. She currently has 62 career blocks and is four away from passing up Rochelle Ortega and Dee Braxton (65 each) for fourth on the all time list...Her 13 blocks is tied for most on the team (Natalie Williams) and her 1.1 blocks per game ranks eighth in the Big West.
Titans Ink Four Recruits for 2012-13
Head coach Marcia Foster announced on Nov. 19 that four high school seniors have signed National Letters of Intent to play basketball at Cal State Fullerton. Casey Williams, Chelsea Waddy, Samantha Logan, and Priscilla Brooks' four years of eligibility will start at the beginning of the 2013-14 academic school year.
"This is very strong class with great students and overall just great people," Foster said. "They all fit into our mold of being a hard-working bunch. We look for blue-collar kids with talent and that's what we have in this class. I expect all of these kids to be able to contribute right away next year."
All four recruits played at California high schools and are expected to play high school basketball their senior years.
Casey Williams • G • 5-8 • Sacramento High School, Calif.
Averaged 7.6 points, 2.4 assists, 4.4 rebounds, and 2.2 steals per game as a junior at Sacramento High School…Is a one-year varsity letter winner…Recorded a career-high 15 points vs. Modesto Christian High School on Dec. 30, 2011…Grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds vs. Kennedy High School Feb. 2, 2012…Helped lead the Dragons to a 27-7 overall record and a 14-0 league mark in 2011-12…Sacramento advanced to the CIF Division III semifinals, beating San Marin 72-34 in round two before eventually falling to Miramonte 71-64.
From coach Foster: "Casey Williams is a tough guard and comes from a great high school system. She's a good defender, she's strong, she's tough, and really fits the mold of the guards we have here now. She has great vision; she can play the one or the two. She's just a very versatile guard, her upside is incredible."
Chelsea Waddy • F/C • 6-1 • Rialto Carter High School, Calif.
Averaged 12.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 3.4 blocks per game as a junior at Rialto Carter High School…Is a three-year varsity letter winner…Put up 18 double-digit scoring outings as a junior…Recorded 21 double-digit rebounding performances last season, including 10 consecutive 10+ rebound games from Nov. 30- Dec. 29, 2011…Led her team in points per game (12.9), total points (336), field goals made (114), Free throws made (104), free throws attempted (151), blocked shots per game (3.4), total blocked shots (89), rebounds per game (12.2), and total rebounds (317) last season.
From coach Foster: "Chelsea Waddy is definitely a sleeper. I don't know if a lot of people know about here yet, but she's a big body who is also quick on her feet. She has great hands, rebounds well and can shoot the ball from the perimeter. She'll enable us to stretch the floor as well. She's a great student and has tremendous upside. We're very excited about her."
Samantha Logan • G/F • 5-9 • Centennial High School, Calif.
Averaged 7.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.2 steals per game as a junior at Centennial High School...Is a three-year varsity letter winner...Led Centennial in rebounds per game (9.2) and total rebounds (240) last season…Put up 23 points (career high) and 16 rebounds Dec. 3, 2011 vs. Rialto High School…Recorded a career-high 25 rebounds Feb. 19, 2011 vs. California High School her sophomore year… Helped lead the Huskies to a CIF Division-I playoff birth both her sophomore and junior years, including a quarterfinal appearance two seasons ago.
Other Notes: Her father, Matt Logan is currently the head coach of Centennial High School's football team. Samantha played in one of Centennial's football games last October. She suited up at quarterback and completed a pass vs. Roosevelt High School in Centennial's annual "Pink Game" (The purpose of wearing pink was to raise awareness for breast cancer). Both her and the receiver she completed the pass to lost their mothers due to breast cancer. She has a goal of becoming the first ever female in California to throw a high school touchdown pass.
From coach Foster: "Samantha Logan is toughness personified. She's versatile, she can handle the ball, rebound; she's just always around the ball. She is coming from a program that's had a lot of Division-I players. Just a tough-nosed guard who can do a lot of things with the basketball."
Priscilla Brooks • C/F • 5-10 • JW North High School, Calif.
Averaged 15.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, and 1.7 steals as a junior at JW North High School…Is a one-year varsity letter winner… Recorded 26 double-digit scoring performances, including a streak 15 consecutive double-digit games…Pulled down double-digit rebounds 13 times last season…Recorded a career-high 26 rebounds March 10, 2012 vs. Monache High School…Put in a career-high 30 points Feb. 1, 2012 vs. Roosevelt High School…Helped lead JW North to a 31-6 overall record, 12-2 league mark, and a trip to the CIF Division-II championship game after the school totaled just four wins (one league win) a year ago.
From coach Foster: "Priscilla Brooks is just terrific. She started off as a point guard early on in her career, so she can really just do it all now. She can handle the ball and rebound. She has a great inside presence. One of the things we're excited about is the fact that we're going to be able to use her in a variety of ways. She's just a great physical player and rebounds with the best of them."
2012-13 Tip-Off Fundraiser a Success
The Cal State Fullerton women's basketball team hosted over 100 fans and raised money for the program at the team's third-annual Tip-Off Party and Fundraiser last Saturday night at the Student Pavilion on campus.
"It was a great evening and we really thank everyone who came out to support us," said head coach Marcia Foster. "We can't wait to make everyone proud."
The evening consisted of a raffle drawing, silent auction, fun dancing, and great food.
Recycled Notes
Breaking Down the Titans
Cal State Fullerton returns two starters and seven letterwinners overall from last season's squad that finished 11-19 overall and 4-12 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 top-seeded Cal Poly in the opening round for a second consecutive season, 71-53.
A new era of Fullerton basketball begins after the team says goodbye to two of the top three scorers from a year ago in Megan Richardson (16.1 ppg) and Lauren Chow (8.1 ppg) due to graduation. However, the Titans will have some stability with the return 2012 All-Big West honorable mention Mya Olivier who returns as the team's leading rebounder (7.4 rpg) from a season ago. Twenty-six game starter Kathleen Iwuoha also returns looking to build off a solid freshman campaign where she averaged 5.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
My-oh-Mya
After suffering a season-ending injury early into the 2010-11 season, she rebounded in a positive manner last year, finishing as the team's leading rebounder (7.4 rpg) and second on the team in scoring (8.8 ppg) in addition to earning a Big West Honorable Mention...Olivier started her first game of the season Nov. 23 vs. Georgetown.
Straight From the Coach's Mouth
Be sure to visit www.fullertontitans.com and click on the women's basketball page to watch the 2012-13 women's basketball preview video featuring head coach Marcia Foster.
Titans Tabbed 10th in Big West Media Poll
The Cal State Fullerton women's basketball team was picked to finish 10th in the 2012-13 Big West Conference race according to a vote of league media members released by the conference office on Oct. 24.
The Titans received 29 points to finish just behind Orange County rival UC Irvine, which was ninth with 65 points. Cal State Northridge managed to edge out Pacific as the favorite to take home the conference crown with six first place votes and 161 points overall. Pacific was tabbed second with 159 points (five first place votes), UC Santa Barbara third with 153 points (three first place votes), Cal Poly fourth with 127 votes (one first place vote), Long Beach State fifth with 116 points (one first place vote), Hawai'i sixth with 81 points, UC Davis seventh with 80 first place votes, and UC Riverside eighth with 74 points.
Filling in the Holes
Cal State Fullerton returns just 52 percent of its 1,830 points scored, 60 percent of its rebounds, 53 percent of its field goals made, 28 percent of its three-pointers made, 61 percent of its free throws made, 43 percent of its assists, and 63 percent of its steals from a season ago.
New Kids on the Block
The Titans bring in four new faces to this year's squad, but only two true freshmen compared to the seven that joined last year's team. The Titans welcome Brianna Barfield (TR, Citrus JC), Xava Grooms (TR, Utah State), Briana Hubbard (FR), and Annie Park (FR).
You Can't Teach Tall
This year's Titan squad could be one of the tallest in recent memory; featuring six players listed at 6-feet or taller –tied for the tallest Fullerton squad since the 2007-08 team listed seven players taller than 6-foot.
Tourney Tested
The Titans will face a schedule loaded with postseason participants in 2011-12 as they will face three (with a fourth possible depending upon the outcome of the Cal Classic Nov. 23- 24th) NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago (Georgetown, Gonzaga, Big West rival UC Santa Barbara, and possibly California) as well as five WNIT teams from 2011-12 in Oregon State, Cal Poly, Cal State Northridge, Pacific, and UC Davis for a total of at least eight tournament teams. That matches the amount faced last season.
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Cal State Fullerton boasts a rigorous 12-game non-conference schedule that includes one neutral contest against a team hovering near the AP preseason top 25 rankings in No. 33 Georgetown. Depending upon the outcome of the first game of the Cal Classic (Nov. 23- Nov. 24th) the Titans could also square off against No. 13 California in Berkeley. Seven of the Titans' 12 non-conference affairs will be played away from Titan Gym. Gonzaga is also ranked 29th in the USA Today preseason coaches poll (California 15th, Georgetown 30th).
California Dreamin'
All 14 players on the roster call California home. Twelve of the 14 players are from Southern California while two are from up north. All three assistant coaches completed their undergraduate degrees at Southern California institutions as well. (Lori Morris at San Diego, Jorge Cerna at San Diego State, and Monica Quan at Concordia)
Fullerton's Fountian of Youth
The Titans come into the 2012-13 season tied for the sixth youngest team in Division I basketball, with the team's average experience being one year per player. The program holds five freshman, five sophomores, three juniors (with one being a JC transfer in Brianna Barfield), and one senior. The Titans have lost three starters from last year's squad in senior Megan Richardson, senior Lauren Chow, and junior Alicya Crisp. Sophomore center Jasmine Grayson left the program as well