Weekly Release (PDF)
TIP-OFF
Fullerton continues its six-game road trip at the Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Classic in Las Cruces, N.M., to take on Eastern Michigan at 10:00 a.m. on Friday. The Titans return to Pan American Center on Saturday at 12:00 p.m. to play New Mexico State to complete the two-day tournament.
WATCH IT LIVE
There will be a live video feed (subscription required) available for Cal State Fullerton's game vs. New Mexico State at Pan American Center on Saturday. 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 NMStateSports.com on Saturday.
LISTEN LIVE
Audio streaming will not be available for Cal State Fullerton's games against Eastern Michigan and New Mexico State this week.
LIVE STATS
There will be live stats available for Cal State Fullerton's games vs. Eastern Michigan and New Mexico State at Pan American Center. 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 (1-3) vs. Eastern Michigan (2-2)
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 (1-3) vs. New Mexico State (0-3)
Overall Record ..................................8-11
Home Record .....................................4-5
Away Record ......................................3-6
Neutral Site Record ............................1-0
Longest Win Streak ...............................4
Longest Losing Streak .........................10
Current Streak ..................................W 2
Record in Last 10 Meetings .................4-6
Last Meeting ...Dec. 23, 2013 (W, 62-53)
SERIES NOTES
EASTERN MICHIGAN:
This will be the first ever meeting between these two teams.
NEW MEXICO STATE:
The Titans and the Aggies have met 19 times in school history, with nine games played at Titan Gym, nine games at Pan American Center, and one neutral site game in the 1991 Big West Tournament at Long Beach State. Fullerton won the first four meetings between these schools, but from 1992 to 1999 the Aggies dominated the series by posting an 11-2 record, including a 10-game winning streak from 1992 to 1996.
FULLERTON'S LAST TIME OUT
Fullerton won its first game of the season on Monday night as they beat Weber State, 70-68, at Dee Events Center behind a career night from senior guard Chante Miles who scored 35 points to go along with six assists and three rebounds.
The second half was controlled by Fullerton as they outscored Weber State 40-26, shooting 46 percent from the field and a blazing 64 percent from three-point territory to overtake the Wildcats, 59-58, with 7:28 left. The three-pointer from Samantha Logan handed the Titans not only the lead in the game, but also gave them 15 three-pointer's made on the night, setting a Fullerton school record for the most three's made in a game, surpassing the 2006-07 team who hit 14 against Iowa State.
"We relied on experience tonight, and we leaned on our upperclassmen," head coach Daron Park said. "Our freshmen are talented and I feel like they all have great careers ahead of them, but it was nice tonight to look and see Chante and Kat to provide the leadership and energy that led us on the court tonight."
BREAKING DOWN EASTERN MICHIGAN
Picked to finish fifth in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, Eastern Michigan comes in the Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Classic after picking up a win against Hillsdale College to stay unbeaten at home this season, and improve their record to 2-2.
Through four games this season the offense for the Eagles has been clicking, pouring in 84.0 points per game, with the defense only allowing an average of 61.5 points per game. EMU had a record-setting day on Nov. 14 against Kent State University as they broke four Convocation Center records in the process of winning 127-40. Sasha Dailey tied the Eagles' home gym record for most steals in a game (9), and the team broke the record for most points recorded (127), highest margin of victory (87) and field goals made (57).
Eastern Michigan is led by senior Jamaica Bucknor and sophomore Cha Sweeney, each averaging 12.3 points per contest this season. The Eagles have five student-athletes averaging double figures in points per game this year as Bucknor and Sweeney are joined by Janay Morton, Shannise Heady and Sasha Dailey in that category.
BREAKING DOWN NEW MEXICO STATE
Boasting two All-Western Athletic Conference student-athletes in Sasha Weber (first team) and Abby Scott (second team), New Mexico State was picked to finish fifth in the WAC in this season's coaches preseason poll.
The Aggies have yet to find their stride this season, posting an 0-3 start with losses to UTEP (78-73), Boise State (70-45), and Sacramento State (93-85). NMSU welcomes Weber State on Friday to kick off its Hotel Encanto Thanksgiving Classic, before facing off against Cal State Fullerton on Saturday.
Coming off a game-high 23-point scoring night on Thursday, Shanice Davis is the one to watch out for on the Aggie roster. She is averaging 17.7 points per game on an average of 10.0 field goal attempts per contest. She is also leading NMSU in trips to the charity stripe this season, shooting 8.0 free throws per game.
CONFERENCE CALL
Cal State Fullerton is 10-21 all-time against the Western Athletic Conference, and 0-3 all-time versus Mid America Conference opponents.
CAREER NIGHTS
Chante Miles: The guard from Compton, Calif. could not be stopped Monday night 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 Tuesday.
Daeja Smith: Smith is another freshman that has contributed heavily to the Titans in their first four 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 four games, Smith is averaging 6.8 points per game.
RETURNERS LEAD THE WAY
Chante Miles and a trio of other returning players for CSF made the difference in the game Monday against Weber State, 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.
"We relied on experience tonight, and we leaned on our upperclassmen," head coach Daron Park said. "Our freshmen are talented and I feel like they all have great careers ahead of them, but it was nice tonight to look and see Chante and Kat to provide the leadership and energy that led us on the court tonight."
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 (37.0), points per game (16.8), three-point shots made per game (2.8), and free throw percentage (90%). Iwuoha has been dominant on the boards through the Titans' first four games, getting into double figures in rebounds for two of the Titans first four games. She has pulled down a team-high 5.8 total rebounds per game, and a team-high 2.8 offensive rebounds per game this season.
INDIVIDUALS IN THE BIG WEST (2014-15 Statistics)
Chante Miles: 37.0 m.p.g. • 21 asst. • 5 stl. • 16.8 p.p.g
Kathleen Iwuoha: 22.5 m.p.g. • 89% FT • 5.8 r.p.g • 5.5 p.p.g.
Samantha Logan: 31.8 m.p.g • 5.5 r.p.g • 37% 3FG • 5.3 p.p.g.
Amanda Tivenius: 22.8 m.p.g. • 5.8 p.p.g • 5.5 r.p.g.
Daeja Smith: 20.3 m.p.g. • 42% FG • 70% FT • 6.8 p.p.g
Tailer Butler: 16.0 m.p.g. • 68% 3FG • 3.0 r.p.g • 4.0 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
Senior guard Chante Miles scored a career-high 35 points Monday versus Weber State, and tied a season-high dishing out six assists.
Kathleen Iwuoha grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds and added seven points Sunday against Montana State.
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.
Senior Tailer Butler caught fire from deep Monday at Weber State, scoring a season-high 12 points by draining 4-of-6 from behind the three-point line Monday against Weber State.
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.
