Cal State Fullerton Notes 
| UC Riverside Notes
FULLERTON, Calif.-- Cal State Fullerton (5-9, 1-1 Big West) aims to recapture its winning momentum as it hits the road to take on UC Riverside (7-6, 0-2 Big West) Saturday at 5 p.m. at SRC Arena.
There will be a live video feed available for Cal State Fullerton's game vs. 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.
There will be live audio streaming available for Cal State Fullerton's game vs UC Riverside. To access audio for the game 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 game vs. 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.
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A Look at the Series...
Cal State Fullerton (5-9) vs. UC Riverside (7-6)
Overall Record 19-22
Home Record 10-8
Away Record 8-10
Neutral Site Record 1-4
Longest Win Streak 7 games
Longest Losing Streak 6 games
Current Streak Won 1
Record in Last 10 Meetings 2-8
First Meeting
Feb. 9, 1970 at Riverside (W, 46-29)
Last Meeting
Feb. 22, 2012 at Titan Gym (W, 66-43)
Last Meeting at Riverside
Jan. 21, 2012 (L, 69-65)
Series Notes: Last time these two schools got together Mya Oliver went for 13 points, eight rebounds and three steals, as she helped lead Cal State Fullerton to a convincing 66-43 win over the Highlanders at Titan Gym...the Titans have dropped four consecutive games in Riverside going back to a 62-54 victory on Jan. 23, 2008...Fullerton's largest margin of victory vs. UCR was an 88-14 (74 points) win on Jan. 16, 1975 in Fullerton. The 14 points allowed was the second lowest surrendered in school history...the Titans largest loss came in a 63-37 (26 points) defeat on March 9, 2005 in Anaheim, Calif....Fullerton's last three losses in Riverside have come by just an average of 6.6 points per game.
The Report on Riverside
UC Riverside enters the game losers of two straight (7-6 overall, 0-2 Big West) as the Highlanders currently sit in the cellar of the Big West. Riverside owns two of the top four scorers in the conference in Tre'Shonti Nottingham, who leads the Big West averaging 19.7 points per game (26th in the nation), and Brittany Crain who ranks fourth averaging 14.5 points per game...the UCR offense ranks third overall in points put up, scoring at a 65.9 point per game clip, while the defense surrenders 65 points per contest (7th in Big West)...Nottingham also leads the league in steals per game (t37th in the nation), averaging 3.1 a contest, while Natasha Hadley provides a presences down low, offering up 9.8 points and a team-leading seven rebounds per contest...the Highlanders were picked to finish eighth in the Big West in the conference's preseason media poll.
Last Time Out For the Titans
Cal State Fullerton was in position to win its fourth consecutive game last Saturday afternoon, as it had the ball down 56-53 with 10.8 seconds left in the game after Northridge missed one of two free throws at the other end. Tailer Butler peeled off a screen and attempted to launch a game-tying three-pointer from the right corner, but it was blocked. She got her own rebound and scored a lay-up that went in as time expired, but unfortunately Fullerton needed three, not two, as the Titans dropped a heartbreaker to Cal State Northridge by the final of 56-55.
The Titans (5-9, 1-1 Big West) were held to just one field goal for the final 13:03 of play, as they scored just nine points the rest of the way, with seven of them coming at the free throw line. In the game, Fullerton shot 29.2 percent (19/65) from the field and hoisted 29 three-pointers, making just six of them for 20.7 percent.
Kathleen Iwuoha led the way for the Titans, posting 10 points and a career-high 13 rebounds for her second career double-double. Chante Miles found herself in double-figures for the seventh consecutive game, leading the Titans in scoring with 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting. Brianna Barfield also scored a career-high tying 10 points.
Two-time Big West Player of the Week Ashlee Guay led all scorers with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting, while collecting five steals for the Matadors (8-5, 2-0 Big West) in the win. Camille Mahlknecht had a solid game down low, grabbing a team-high 11 boards, while scoring seven points of her own.
Fullerton got off to a quick start, connecting on four of their first eight shot attempts, including converting on three of their first six three-pointers, as it jumped out to an early 11-2 lead with 16:49 left in the first half.
However, the Titans were unable to pull away, as Guay scored seven of Matadors' next 13 points to bring Northridge within 16-15 with 9:15 left to play in the half.
The two teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the first half as the lead changed 10 separate times, with no side gaining more than a four-point advantage.
With 27 seconds left until halftime, Barfield drove to the hoop and converted on a three-point play, as she made a difficult scoop lay-up to give Fullerton a 32-28 lead heading into intermission.
The defensive struggle continued in the second half, as Northridge made just 9-of-24 second half field goals, while the Titans connected on 7-of-32 attempts.
Despite the shooting woes, Fullerton outrebounded Northridge 14-6 on the offensive glass in the second half, which led to 10 second-chance points in the final 20 minutes to keep the Titans in the game.
After two Mya Olivier free throws, Fullerton actually had it's largest second half lead at 48-41 with 11:23 left to play. Northridge didn't gain a second half advantage until Marta Masoni knocked down a wide-open trey to give the Matadors a 50-48 lead with 6:18 left.
Fullerton never saw the lead again, as Northridge held the Titans 1-for-7 from the field the rest of the way.
What's Trending
Fullerton has committed less or the same amount of turnovers as the opposition in 10 of its last 12 games...the Titans have had more offensive rebounds than the opponent in 11 of 14 games this season...Fullerton has been outscored in the paint in 10 of its last 12 games.
Protecting the House
All five of Cal State Fullerton's wins this season have come at Titan Gym (5-2)...the Titans have outscored opponents a combined 467-423 (+44) during home games this season and have lost two games by a combined two points...nearly 70 percent of the Titans' total wins since the 2005-06 season have come at home.
A Heck of an Opening Act
Fullerton hits the road for its Big West road opener Saturday at UC Riverside. That should bode well for Tailer Butler, as she has had a knack of finding the bottom of the bucket in openers of any kind this season. She scored 16 points in the season opener at Nevada, put up 13 in the team's home opener vs. Sacramento State, and scored 27 last week in Fullerton's Big West opener. She has combined score 56 points and grab 19 rebounds in the three openers so far thus season...The three games are marked as her top three scoring performances of the season.
Tailoring Greatness
Tailer Butler's 27 points scored on Jan. 3 vs. Hawai'i was the most by any Titan since Megan Richardson also posted 27 points Dec. 12, 2011 vs. San Jose State...Butler's 27 points were also the most points any Titan had produced off the bench since Lauren Chow scored 28 points Nov. 17, 2007.
Is There a Lid on This Thing?
Over the course of the season, Cal State Fullerton has had field goal droughts of eight minutes or more six separate times in six different games...Three of them have been 10+ minute droughts...the Titans are 1-5 in those games. (8:15 vs Eastern Washington, 8:28 at New Mexico, 10:48 at Gonzaga, 8:44 at Oregon State, 10:26 vs. Columbia, 12:56 vs. Cal State Northridge.
Nationally Accredited Thief
As of Jan. 10, Chante Miles ranks tied for 50th in the nation in steals per game (2.93)...Duquesne's Jocelyn Floyd leads the nation in steals, averaging 5.14 per game... Miles' seven steals Jan. 3 vs. Hawai'i were the most by any Titan since Toni Thomas collected seven steals Nov. 20, 2007 vs. USC.
Cal State Fullerton and Big West Road Openers
Prior to last season's 72-67 loss at Pacific, the Titans had won five consecutive Big West road openers....Since the 2006-07 season, just over 38% percent of Fullerton's conference road wins have come in conference openers (5/13)
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.
Heartbreak City
Seven of 13 games this season have been decided by five points or less. Fullerton is just 2-5 in those contests...Four games have been decided by two points or less, the Titans are 1-3 in those contests...in the five 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 5-2 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.
Taking Care of Business
After dropping seven consecutive games, the Titans have started to right the ship, as they've won three of their last four games, including a season-high three in a row before last Saturday's loss, to put them right in the thick of things as we begin the second week of Big West play. During the four-game stretch the Titans have averaged 65 points per game while surrendering just 60 per contest.
Doing it Right on Defense
Since giving up 83 points to Gonzaga on Dec. 9, the Titans have only surrendered 60+ points once. Opponents have averaged just 58 points on 40 percent shooting during that span (104/259).
Finding the Right Mix
Cal State Fullerton has used eight different starting lineups and has only sent out the same starting five in consecutive games three times 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 12 of her first 14 games to start the season...Miles has scored 17+ points in six of 14 games this season...Miles currently leads the Titans in scoring (13.7 ppg), total points (192), field goals made (66), free throws made (4.7 fpg), assists (3.8 apg), steals (2.9 spg), and minutes (34.5 mpg).
That's More Like It
2011-12 Big West Honorable Mention Mya Olivier is starting to find her groove, averaging 10.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game over her last four contests...She recorded a career-high six steals last week vs. Hawai'i...Her 14 rebounds vs. Columbia on Dec 31 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 (7.5 rpg), offensive rebounding (3.3 rpg), and defensive rebounding (4.3 rpg). Her overall rebounding ranks sixth in the conference while her offensive rebounding ranks fifth...She recorded a career-high 13 rebounds last Saturday vs. Cal State Northridge.
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.
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
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.