Hawai'i at Cal State Fullerton
Fullerton, Calif. | Titan Gym
Saturday, March 8, 2014 | 6:00 p.m.
Game Coverage: Live Stats | Video | Audio | UH Notes
Cal State Fullerton Game Notes (PDF)
Cal State Fullerton (11-17, 7-8 Big West) prepares for its final regular season game against the Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine Saturday, March 8 at 6 p.m at Titan Gym. The Titans will honor its three seniors during the pregame ceremony.
Watch it Live
There will be a live video feed available for Cal State Fullerton's game versus Hawai'i. To access video for both games 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 Hawai'i. 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 this weekend.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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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).
Hawai'i (16-11, 10-5) at Cal State Fullerton (11-17, 7-8)
Overall Record... 14-14
Home Record... 7-7
Away Record... 5-7
Neutral Site Record... 2-0
Big West Record... 11-14
Longest Win Streak... 9 games
Longest Losing Streak... 7 games
Current Streak... Lost 1
Record in Last 10 Meetings... 3-7
Last Meeting...Feb. 15, 2014 at Honolulu, Hawaii (L, 65-52)
Series Game-by-Game (Last five meetings)
02.15.14 Honolulu, Hawaii L 65-52
03.13.13 Irvine, Calif. W 66-51
03.09.13 Honolulu, Hawaii L 53-43
01.03.13 Fullerton, Calif. W 83-74
02.25.96 Honolulu, Hawaii L 86-61
Series Note: Thursday marks the 29th meeting all-time meeting between the two schools... UH defeated the Titans the first meeting this season on Feb. 15, 65-52...the Titans are 11-14 against Hawai'i in Big West Conference play...Fullerton's largest margin of victory was a 66-46 (20 pts) win Jan. 25, 1987 at Hawai'i...Fullerton's largest margin of defeat was a 86-61 loss in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Feb. 25, 1996...Fullerton has defeated the last two times on the mainland.
Scouting the Rainbow Wahine
Hawai'i enters the contest with a 15-11 overall record (9-5 Big West) and currently stands in third a half-game behind Cal Poly for second place. UH previously defeated the Titans on Feb. 15, 65-52 at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The Rainbow Wahine boast three players averaging double-figures in points Kamilah Jackson (15.5 ppg), Ashleigh Karaitiana (10.2 ppg), and Shawna Lei-Kuehu (10.9 ppg). Jackson, a former Big West player of the week, also leads the team in rebounds as she averages 9.7 per game, but missed the last meeting against the Titans due to an injury.
Hawai'i averages 66.0 points per game, while it allows a league low 63.3 per contest. UH leads the Big West in multiple defensive categories (scoring margin, scoring defense, rebounding defense, field goal percentage defense). The Wahine are shooting 40.2 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from behind the arc.
Conference Call
The Titans are 201-303 (.399) 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.
Thank You Seniors
Prior to Saturday's game against Hawai'i, the Titans will honor its three seniors: Alex Thomas, Brianna Barfield, Mya Olivier.
Hawai'i vs. Fullerton: Round One
The Rainbow Wahine and Titans met the first time on Feb. 15 at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawai'i came away victorious 65-52 as Briana Harris led the Wahine with 14 points, while Lei-Kuehu added 12 points. Senior guard Alex Thomas scored a then career-high 25 points in the loss.
Closing the Gap on 1,000 Points
Senior Alex Thomas leads the Titans in points this season and now is five points shy of reaching the 1,000 point club. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native has averaged 15.0 ppg this season and a conference best 20.9 ppg in Big West play.
Iwuoha's Career Night
Forward Kathleen Iwuoha's big performance last Saturday was key for the the Titans as they defeated Long Beach State, 71-55. The junior forward poured in a career high 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Iwuoha set new career highs in field goals made (9), free throws made (7), and minutes played (40).
2013 Big West Scholar Athletes
Three Titans have been named a Big West Scholar Athlete it was announced on March 4. Fullerton had senior guard Alex Thomas, senior forward Mya Olivier, and junior forward Xava Grooms named due to their acadmeic achievements.
Conference Race
With one games remaining Titans are currently in a tie for sixth place with Long Beach State at 7-8. The Titans then trail fourth place UC Davis (9-6) by two games and UC Irvine (8-7) by one game. This weekend LBSU will face UC Riverside, while UCI plays UC Davis.
Last Time Out for the Titans
Cal State Fullerton gave UC Irvine all it could handle Thursday night, but the Anteaters were able to pull away late and secure a 78-72 victory at the Bren Event Center.
The Titans (11-17, 7-8 Big West) have already clinched a spot in next week's Big West tournament and are currently tied for sixth place in the conference race with Long Beach State heading into Saturday's regular season finale versus Hawai'i (6 PT).
Freshman Samantha Logan led the Titans with 21 points off a career-high seven three pointers, while also pulling down nine rebounds. Junior forward Kathleen Iwuoha added 18 points and senior guard Alex Thomas chipped in 16 points in the losing effort.
UC Irvine's (15-14, 8-7 Big West) Camille Buckley was a force in the paint as the senior forward was able to grab 24 rebounds to go along with 19 points. Senior Jennifer Tsurumoto poured in 20 points on 4-of-13 shooting and fellow senior Kelly Megg added 18 points on six three-pointers for the Anteaters.
The Titans and Anteaters changed leads 13 times Thursday night and on five separate occasions the game was tied. However, UC Irvine was able to produce baskets down the stretch and hold on.
The Titans opened the game with a slow start, but a 7-0 run put Fullerton ahead 11-7 with 13:20 remaining in the opening half. After holding a small lead for majority of the first half, with under eight minutes to play, UCI quickly a Buckley basket and Meggs three-pointer put the Anteaters ahead for the rest of the half. Trailing by six points with ten seconds left in the half, Logan knocked down a three-pointer and at the half Fullerton trailed 32-29.
Iwuoha and Logan both added nine points in the first half as Thomas scored eight points as the Titans shot 41.2 percent in the first half. Meggs scored 12 points in the first half after knocking down a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the arc, while Buckley chipped in eight points, but grabbed 16 rebounds.
To open the second half Logan converted two-three pointers, which put Fullerton ahead by two, 35-33, but after numerous lead changes UCI was able to regain the lead with under eight minutes remaining. The Titans saw their final lead of the game with 6:16 left as a jumper by Chante Miles put them ahead, 57-55. However, Meggs answered back with one of her six three-pointers on the night to give the Anteaters the lead back.
With 1:55 left, UCI led 65-63 before a basket by Camille Buckley and a free throw by Jasmine Bernard gave the Anteaters a 68-63 lead with 58 seconds remaining. A three-pointer by Logan narrowed the advantage to 68-66, but the Tsurumoto knocked down two free throws, a layup by Buckley and two more Tsurumoto free throws extended the lead to 74-66 with 20 seconds left. Logan and Brianna Barfield kepy the Titans alive with three-pointers, but after every Fullerton trey, Tsurumoto would hit two more free throws until the last went through the net with 11 ticks remaining.
Fullerton finished the night shooting 40.6 percent from the field compared to UCI who knocked down 45.9 percent of its shots.
Bend Those Knees
Fullerton has played many close games due to its tough defense and currently ranks second amongst Big West opponents in points allowed per game (66.4 ppg).
Flying Under the Radar
Samantha Logan is making her presence felt. She currently is second on the team in overall rebounding (6.3 rpg). Her overall rebounding per game ranks eigth best in the Big West and her defensive rebounding ranks fifth in the conference (4.6 rpg).
Williams' Block Party
Junior forward Natalie Williams leads the Titans with 14 blocked shots this season and now ties Charlee Underwood (2003-2007) for eighth on the all-time among career shot blockers.
Winning the Close One
Fullerton defeated Cal Poly 78-77 on 2/20 and recorded its first one-point victory this season. The Titans have now won four games by three points or less.
A New Starting Five
After using the same starters for the past 15 games, the Titans have used a new starting lineup in each of the past four games.
Where We Rank
With two conference games remaining lets see where the Titans rank amongst other Big West opponents overall. Fullerton ranks second in the Big West Conference in three-pointers per game (7.57). The Titans rank second in turnover margin (+2.64) and third rebounding defense percentage (.679), and fourth in scoring defense 68.1 ppg.
Big West Win #200
After knocking off conference leader Cal Poly on Feb. 20, 78-77, at Titan Gym, Fullerton recorded its 200th all-time Big West win.
The Amazing Alex
After averaging 8.6 points in non-conference games, senior guard Alex Thomas has stepped up her game as the Mission Viejo, Calif., native is averaging 20.9 points per game in conference games, which is the highest among Big West players.
What's Trending
Fullerton has recorded two or more double-digit scorers in all (25 games), but two games this season...the Titans bench has outscored the opponent's bench in more than half the contests this season...Fullerton has only committed more turnovers than their opponents twice in the last 18 games...the Titans have used eight different starting lineups this season and are 8-7 with the most commonly used lineup.
From the Charity Stripe
Against Hawai'i on Feb. 15, the Titans shot a season-high 35 free throws with senior guard Alex Thomas attempting 19 of them. Thomas converted 15 of her free throws and fell one make short of the single record and three shy of the most free throw attempts in a game for a Titan.
Living Pretty in the 60's
The Titans are 10-4 when scoring 60+ points this season, compared to a 1-12 mark when scoring under 60 points...Fullerton is 5-1 when scoring at least 70 points this season.
Shooting Over 40 percent
The Titans are 6-1 when shooting better than 40 percent from the field and 5-0 when shooting better than 40 percent from behind the arc.
Out-Rebounding the Opponents
The Titans are 8-1 when grabbing more rebounds than the opponents. However, when Fullerton doesnt grab more rebounds than their opponent they are 3-13.
Career Rebounds Mark Reached
Kathleen Iwuoha, who leads the team in rebounding, grabbed 24 rebounds over two games versus UC Davis and Hawai'i to go over 400 total rebounds in her career and redshirt-sophomore Hailey King and Chante Miles both reached the 200 mark after pulling down multiple against UC Davis and Hawai'i.
Sharing the Hot Hand
Chante Miles led the Titans in scoring in seven of the first 12 games to start the season, but Alex Thomas has had a team high in scoring the last 11 of 13 games (Miles vs. Cal Poly 2/20 & Iwuoha vs. Long Beach State 3/1). Miles and Thomas are the only Titans to have back-to-back games as the leading scorer for the team.
Most Three-Attempts
The Titans shot a whopping 41 three-pointers versus Long Beach State on Feb. 1, which gives Fullerton a new school record for most three-pointer attempts in a single game. The Titans previously shot 40 treys against Iowa State (12/8/13) earlier this season.
Miles Dishing Out Assists
After 27 games, junior guard Chante Miles is fourth in the Big West in assists. The Compton, Calif., native has 104 assists this season and tied a career high against UCSB on Jan. 25 after dishing out eight assists. Miles previously had eight assists versus Alabama (11/30) earlier this season.
UCSB Winning Streak at Home Snapped
Fullerton's win last weekend at UCSB signified the end of what was a 23-year losing streak in Santa Barbara. The Titans previously defeated the Gauchos at the Thunderdome on Feb. 12, 1991 (22 games).
All About Getting Better
Fullerton finished 5-13 in the Big West last season. The Titans already have seven conference wins with two league games to play.
Miles Ahead of the Rest
Chante Miles has averaged 13.7 points per game, which ranks second on the team. 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 22 of 27 games this season and has 42 total in her career. Last season the junior guard had 19 double-digit scoring games.
The Second Half, Times Two
Fullerton has scored 54.2 percent (902/1662) 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 66.8 points per game compared to its current 61.6 points per game clip.
California Dreamin'
All 11 players on the roster call California home and all are natives of Southern California.
Finding the Right Mix
Cal State Fullerton has used eight different starting lineups this season and is 8-7 with a lineup of Chante Miles, Hailey King, Alex Thomas, Samantha Logan, and Kat Iwuoha. Alex Thomas is the only Titan to have started in every game this season.
A Streak Meant for Snapping
After defeating Cal Poly on Thursday the Titans snapped a nine-game losing streak against the Mustangs. Previously, the Titans hadn't defeated Cal Poly since Feb. 25, 2010.
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.
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.
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.
New Kids on the Block
The Titans welcome two new faces to the squad for the 2013-14 season with Samantha Logan and Chelsea Waddy joining the squad.