TIP-OFF
After finishing the 2014-15 non-conference slate with wins in three of their last four games, the Titans will host UC Riverside at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Titan Gym to kick off Big West Conference action for both teams.
UC Riverside vs. Cal State Fullerton
Thursday Jan. 8, 2015 | 7:00 PM
Titan Gym • Fullerton, Calif.
Live Stats: www.FullertonTitans.com
Video: www.FullertonTitans.com
Audio: www.FullertonTitans.com
A LOOK AT THE SERIES
Cal State Fullerton (6-7) vs. UC Riverside (9-5)
Overall record..................................................22-23
Home Record.....................................................11-9
Away Record....................................................10-10
Neutral Site Record..............................................1-4
Longest Win Streak.................................................7
Longest Losing Streak.............................................6
Current Streak....................................................W 2
Record in Last 10 Meetings...................................4-6
Last Meeting.........................Feb. 6, 2013 (W, 60-57)
SERIES NOTES
UC Riverside: For the second-straight season UC Riverside and Fullerton will face off to begin Big West Conference action. Fullerton has won the last two matchups between these two teams, pulling out a 82-78 win at UCR on Jan. 9, 2013 and win at Titan Gym on Feb. 6, 2013, 60-57.
PARK'S PREVIEW
"We are extremely excited to open up conference play here at home against UC Riverside. They are having a great year, have a ton of talent on their roster, and we are looking forward to the challenge of competing against them Thursday night. Conference play is another level and our focus in practice this week is trying to relay that message to our new faces. I'm looking forward to seeing how they respond." - Daron Park
FULLERTON'S RECENT RESULTS
Jan. 4 at Seattle
The Titans used a strong second half performance to rally past Seattle 66-59 on Sunday afternoon at Connolly Center behind 28 points from Chante Miles and 13 points from Hailey King.
Fullerton, winners of three of its last four, outscored the Redhawks 46-24 in the final half, and shot 47 percent (5-of-26) from the field and 37 percent (3-of-15) from behind the three-point line to earn the victory. Seattle, who posted a 47 percent field goal percentage (13-of-28) in the first half while building a 15-point halftime lead, could only shoot 27 percent (7-of-26) in the second half to finish out the game.
The Titans shot 15-of-32 from the field (47 percent) and slowly chipped away at their halftime deficit until a three-pointer by King gave the Titans their first lead of the game with 6:08 left to play. Fullerton played shut-down defense, sunk their free throws, and mixed in a Samantha Logan three-pointer with 2:24 left in the game to close it out.
BREAKING DOWN UC RIVERSIDE
The Highlanders enter Big West Conference play with a record of 9-5 throughout their non-conference schedule this season. They have had success at home so far this year, posting a 5-1 record, but the road has not been as welcoming to the Highlanders, losing four-of-six away from Riverside.
The Highlanders opened the 2014-15 season with five-straight wins, before losing four of its last six to end the non-conference portion of their schedule.
UC Riverside returns 2013-14 All-Big West First Team selection Brittany Crain who paced the Big West in scoring averaging 19.2 points per game, while also ranking first in steals at 1.85 a game, and in minutes played with 36.37.
She leads UCR, and the Big West, in scoring again this season as she has averaged 23.1 points per game. She has also been a force on the glass this year, pulling down 7.1 rebounds per game.
CONFERENCE CALL
Cal State Fullerton is 202-245 all-time against the Big West Conference.
BIG WEST CONFERENCE ACTION
The Titans enter Big West Conference play on a high note this season after winning three of their last four games to finish their non-conference slate. Last season, the Titans finished non-conference action by winning two of their last four games, but started conference play with two-straight wins against UC Riverside and UC Irvine. Fullerton will play UCR and UCI for their first two Big West matchups again this year.
BIG WEST PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Senior point guard Chante Miles captured Big West Women's Basketball Player of the Week accolades after notching her first double-double, and fifth 20-point game of the season.
Miles led the Titans to a 20-point win over UMKC on New Year's Eve with 18 points and a career-high 12 assists.
The Compton, Calif. native also directed a 66-59 come-from-behind victory at Seattle thanks to a 28-point performance. For the week she averaged 23.0 points, 9.0 assists, and 3.5 rebounds.
It is the first Big West Player of the Week nod for a Fullerton women's basketball player since Megan Richardson won the award Nov. 16, 2009.
MILES CHASING HISTORY
With 28 points on Sunday afternoon, Chante Miles has moved up the Fullerton all-time scoring list and now sits 15th place all-time after passing Amber Pruitt (1,078 points), Terri Withers (1,078), Brenda Martin (1,094, Jill Matyuch (1,097), Lyndsey Grove (1,098), and Claudette Jackson (1,100) last week. Tamara Quinn (1,109 points) is in striking distance for Miles, sitting only eight points away from taking over 14th place on the list.
THREE-POINT BREAKTHROUGH
So far this season the Titans the ability to make their three-point shots has been a major factor in whether the team wins or loses. Sunday's game at Seattle was Fullerton's first win this year when shooting less than 30 percent from deep (1-5) and shooting a lower three-point percentage than its opponent (1-5).
CAREER NIGHTS
Chante Miles: The guard from Compton, Calif. could not be stopped Nov. 24 at Weber State as she dropped a career-high 35 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the field and shot 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 previous 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 Nov. 29 against New Mexico State, dropping 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, while adding a career-high three blocks.
Natalie Williams: Natalie Williams played a season-high 27 minutes on Sunday at Seattle and recorded one block. With that block, she now sits alone in eighth place all-time on the Fullerton career shot blockers list, she was previously tied with Charlee Underwood (2003-2007).
INDIVIDUALS IN THE BIG WEST (2014-15 Statistics)
Chante Miles: 37.7 m.p.g. • 70 asst. • 15 stl. • 19.5 p.p.g
Kathleen Iwuoha: 27.6 m.p.g. • 34 Off. Reb. • 6.5 r.p.g • 11.1 p.p.g.
Samantha Logan: 27.4 m.p.g • 4.1 r.p.g • 34% 3FG • 4.8 p.p.g.
Hailey King: 17.6 m.p.g. • 5.2 p.p.g • 40% 3FG • 51% FG
Daeja Smith: 19.2 m.p.g. • 32% FG • 60% FT • 4.5 p.p.g
Tailer Butler: 26.2 m.p.g. • 33% 3FG • 4.4 r.p.g • 7.7 p.p.g.
MILES vs. CRAIN
The top two scorers in the Big West Conference will be squaring off against each other Thursday at Titan Gym, as UCR's Brittany Crain (23.1 p.p.g) and CSF's Chante Miles (19.5 p.p.g) will be on the same court for the first time this season. Fans should get their money's worth watching these two play because they are also No. 1 and No. 2 in the Big West in minutes played per game this year, with Crain averaging 37.9 m.p.g and Miles averaging 37.7 m.p.g.
BY THE NUMBERS
• Senior guard Chante Miles scored 28 points on Jan. 4 against Seattle, extending her streak of scoring in double figures to 11-straight games. Her previous career-high streak of nine games was set last year from Nov. 8, 2013 to Dec. 14, 2013.
• Kathleen Iwuoha leads the Titans with three double-double's on the season. Her first coming Nov. 28 against Eastern Michigan, scoring 24 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
• Freshman Daeja Smith earned the first double-double of her career at Fullerton, scoring 10 points and pulling down 11 rebounds in the win at New Mexico State on Nov. 29.
• 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 Hailey King came off the bench to lead the Titans in scoring on Dec. 14 against Fresno State, she dropped a season-high 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field, while playing a season-high 28 minutes.
DOUBLE-DOUBLE TRACKER
Kathleen Iwouha
• Nov. 28 vs Eastern Michigan - Iwuoha 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.
• Dec. 3 at Denver - Iwuoha posted her second double-double of the season, scoring 24 points and pulling down 12 rebounds in a 78-61 win at Denver.
• Dec. 31 vs UMKC - The senior scored 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to garner her team-leading third double double of the season.
Daeja Smith
• Nov. 29 at New Mexico State - Freshman Daeja Smith produced the first double-double of her career Nov. 29 at New Mexico State, dropping 10 points, pulling down a career-high 11 rebounds, and adding a career-high three blocks.
Chante Miles
• Dec. 31 vs UMKC- The guard from Compton, Calif. posted her first double double of the season, scoring 18 points and setting a season-high mark with 10 assists on Dec. 31 against UMKC.
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 non-conference schedule," said Park. "I think it is a 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."
BUFFALO WILD WINGS STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Nov. 24 - Nov. 30
Chante Miles - 25.3 points per game...3.3 assists per game...38.0 mintues per game
Dec. 1 - Dec. 7
Chante Miles - 22 points per game...became 23rd member of 1,000-point club...extended her streak of scoring in double figures to six-straight games.
Dec. 29 - Dec. 4
Chante Miles - Averaged 23.0 points, 9.0 assists and 3.5 rebounds...moved to 15th on all-time Fullerton scoring list...exended her streak of scoring in double figures to 11-straight games.
EXPERIENCE LEADS THE WAY
Fullerton has experimented with three different starting lineups this season, and have seen different results with each combination. For eight-straight games the Titans have sent out an experienced group consisting of primarily returners, with only one freshman (Daeja Smith) in the starting lineup. The results have been encouraging as the starting lineup of Chante Miles, Samantha Logan, Tailer Butler, Kathleen Iwuoha and Smith have posted a 5-3 record.
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
The Titans welcome four 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:
• Dhanyel Johnson | C | 6-3 | St. Andrews HS, Spanish Town, Jamaica
• Portia Neale | G | 5-8 | Clovis West HS, Calif.
• Daeja Smith | C | 6-3 | Etiwanda HS, Calif.
• Amanda Tivenius | G/F | 6-0 | Hersbey Gymnasium, Lindingo, Sweden
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.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
Freshman Lakyn Gulley has decided to leave the team and withdraw from school to play basketball at a university closer to her home in Indiana. "I thank Lakyn for her time here as a member of our Titan Women's Basketball," head coach Daron Park said. "We wish her all the best in her future endeavors."
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 come 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 CSUN – 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.
