Women's Basketball to Battle San Francisco on Saturday

Feb. 4, 2003

What's On the Schedule for the Gaels:
The Gaels will go on the road for one game against Bay Area-rival, the San Francisco Lady Dons on Saturday, February 8. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM in the War Memorial Gymnasium. This game will also be televised on Fox Sports Bay Area.

Saint Mary's Probable Starters:

#   Name             Pos.   Ht. Pts.    Rebs10  Danielle Ferris    G  5-8 7.5 4.5*22  Evynn Van Burger G    6-0 3.7 2.253  Triola Jackson  C  6-2 17.0    9.530  Katie Davis    F  6-2 7.7 3.521  Julie Morris  F  6-0 12.9    4.9

Who's Hot:
Although the Gaels struggled over the weekend in losses to Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine, respectively, Julie Morris (Moraga, CA) was possibly the most consistent. Morris tallied five points and four rebounds, including a team-high two offensive boards in a 54-45 loss to LMU. In the Gaels' match-up against Pepperdine she had a game-high 18 points, with one block and one rebound (offensive).

During conference play she's averaging 12.7 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. For conference games she ranks eighth for scoring, three-point field goals made (1.57), three-point field goal percentage (.345), 11th for free throw percentage (.720), 13th for blocked shots (0.57) and 15th for field goal percentage (.385). For all games Morris currently ranks sixth in scoring (12.9), 16th in rebounds (4.9), eighth in field goal percentage (.422), seventh in free throw percentage (.714), fifth in three-point field goal percentage (.380), sixth in three-point field goals made per game (1.50), 11th in blocked shots per game (0.72), and eighth in defensive rebounds (3.67).

Radio Coverage:
All games for the 2002-03 women's basketball season will be broadcasted on the internet at www. SMCGaels.com. Anthony Macedo will provide play-by-play and color commentary for the Gaels' contest against the San Francisco Lady Dons.

You can also access the broadcast on the internet by accessing the Saint Mary's website at www.SMCGaels.com. Go to the Saint Mary's home page, and click on the listen icon to link to the live broadcast.

Saint Mary's on the Web:
Gael fans can access all the latest news and notes about Saint Mary's athletics on the web at www.SMCGaels.com. The official website offers the most up to date information and results of the Gaels' 15 intercollegiate sports plus much more.

Second-Year Head Coach Michelle Jacoby:
Michelle Jacoby (Pacific, 1989) is 50-31 as the head coach of the Saint Mary's women's basketball program. Last season Jacoby, who is in her third season, led the Gaels to their fourth straight post season appearance and seventh consecutive winning season. Saint Mary's 2002 WNIT title hopes were ended by the eventual champion, Oregon Ducks, 72-61, after a 16-12 regular season record. The Gaels finished the WCC season with a 9-5 mark, tying for second place with the Santa Clara Broncos, and losing in the semi-finals of the WCC Tournament to their rival, the Broncos.

In 2000-01, Jacoby took the Gaels to their fourth consecutive 20-win season, a co-West Coast Conference Championship, and the WCC Tournament Championship. In her first year as head coach she led Saint Mary's in its second NCAA Tournament appearance - the third consecutive post season appearance by the team - and first NCAA Tournament victory with the win over Texas. Jacoby posted victories over two prominent women's basketball coaches in Tara Van Deveer (Stanford) and Jody Conradt (Texas) in her first season. Jacoby was an assistant coach for the Gaels for three years before being named as the head coach.

Michelle Jacoby Record in the WCC:
At the begininning of the season Michelle Jacoby was the best in the WCC for her WCC career winning percentage among active coaches with a 20-9 mark. The Gaels' head coach currently holds a 21-12 WCC record for a .600 winning percentage. As of now she ranks third behind SCU's Michelle Bento (.857) and Pepperdine's Mark Trakh (.617). Following Jacoby is Portland's Jim Sollars (.516), USF's Mary Hile-Nepfel (.516), Gonzaga's Kelly Graves (.480), San Diego's Kathy Marpe (.452) and LMU's Julie Wilhoit (.352), respectively.

Michelle Jacoby Wins Number 50:
Head coach Michelle Jacoby won her 50th game at the helm of the Saint Mary's women's basketball team on Saturday, January 25 against San Diego. In her head coaching career, Jacoby holds a 5-0 record against the Toreros in head-to-head match-ups. Jacoby is in her third year as head coach and has taken the Gaels to the post season the last two season's.

Probable Starters For San Francisco:

#   Name              Pos.  Ht. Pts.    Rebs    Hometown11  Toni Russell      G 5-3 8.2 4.1*    San Francisco, CA13  Merisa Leatherman G 5-10    5.3 2.8 Rocklin, CA22  Joy Hollingsworth G     5-10    8.4 3.9 Seattle, WA42  Carey Sauer   F 6-0 15.1    4.9 Newport, WA5   Leeane Jensen     C 6-3 4.0 4.6 Morro Bay, CA*assists per game

Scouting the Lady Dons:
The San Francisco Lady Dons are currently 8-13 overall, 3-4 in WCC action and 2-7 at home. The Lady Dons are on a two-game winning streak after dropping four straight.

The Lady Dons are led by Carey Sauer, who is second in the conference for scoring with a 17.0 average for conference games and third with a 15.8 average for all games. She's also grabbing 5.1 rebounds per game. Sophomore Leanne Jensen had a wonderful weekend for the Lady Dons down south, averaging 18.5 points and 6.0 rebounds to earn WCC Player of the Week. Toni Russell is also a force to reckon with, averaging a conference fifth best of 4.10 assists per game and a WCC leading 3.62 steals per game.

San Francisco is being outscored by its opponents 61.3 to 58.3. As a team they're shooting 37.9 percent from the field, 34.1 percent from beyond the arc and 74.5 percent from the free throw line.

Saint Mary's vs. San Francisco the Series:
Saint Mary's and San Francisco have squared off 35 times, with the Lady Dons leading 19-16. The last time these two teams met was January 11, 2003 when the Gaels lost 68-66 in Moraga, CA.

Saint Mary's Winning Tradition:
Since the beginning of WCC women's basketball in 1985, the Gaels have been among the conference's best. Starting with the 1985-86 season, Saint Mary's has posted a 278-173 record for all games and a 133-84 record for WCC games. The Gaels' winning percentage of .616 for all games is second in the conference and their .613 winning percentage is second for WCC games, both behind Santa Clara. In both categories the Gaels have the lowest amount of losses among all schools.

Game #20 Recap: Saint Mary's 57 - Pepperdine 78:,br> Saint Mary's lost its second straight game, falling to the Pepperdine Waves, 78-57, on Saturday, February 1 at the Firestone Fieldhouse. The Gaels' Julie Morris led all scorers with 18 points.

On Friday night against Loyola Marymount, the Gaels fell behind early, 9-0. Against the Waves, Saint Mary's again struggled offensively, finding themselves down 8-0 to begin the game. The Waves would increase that lead to as much as 16 points with 13 minutes remaining in the first half. Numerously, the Gaels cut Pepperdine's lead to eight but Saint Mary's would get no closer all game. The Waves shot 38 percent in the first half to the Gaels' 36 percent, but the Waves tallied four three-pointers to SMC's zero.

In the second half, the Waves continued to pressure the Gaels' offense with full court presses and traps as SMC committed 22 turnovers on the night. As for the Waves they seemed to score with the greatest of ease, hitting seven three-pointers and collecting 13 offensive rebounds. After a minute of action, the Gaels climbed within 10 points of the Waves, but eventually Pepperdine would retaliate to win by 21 points over Saint Mary's.

In addition to Morris' 18 points, Triola Jackson had eight points and a team-high seven rebounds, while Danielle Ferris had seven points and a game-high three assists. Shanell Law led the Waves with 17 points on the night.

Game #19 Recap: Saint Mary's 45 - Loyola Marymount 54:
Saint Mary's lost its fifth West Coast Conference game of the season as they were downed, 54-45, by the Loyola Marymount Lions on Friday, January 31. Triola Jackson led the Gaels offensively with a game-high 18 points on the night.

In the first half the Gaels struggled offensively, missing their first 13 shot attempts. Fortunately, the Gaels played good defense to keep them in the game. Savannah Williams knocked in the Gaels first basket to start a 6-2 run, to get within five points. LMU would extend their lead to eight at the half as neither team shot better than 30 percent in the first.

Saint Mary's began the second half with a new sense of life behind the shooting of Jackson. After a three-pointer by Katie Davis the Gaels found themselves within three points. Both teams would trade baskets for the next three minutes, as the Gaels stayed close. But with the Gaels down just two points at the 9:32 minute mark, LMU went on a 9-1 run to take an eight point advantage after Jackson fouled out. The Lions would finish out the game with solid free throw shooting to win by nine points over the Gaels.

Davis and Julie Morris finished with five points, both second on the team in scoring. Freshman Erika Urmonaite recorded a team and career-high 10 rebounds after playing a career-high 24 minutes off of the bench.

Nations Known:
In the latest edition of the NCAA women's basketball statistics, Triola Jackson's rebounding average ranks among the country's elite at 27th.

Twice as Nice:
Triola Jackson (San Diego, CA) tallied her ninth and tenth career double-double against Santa Clara and San Diego, respectively. Against Santa Clara she recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds, while she tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds versus USD. All ten of Jackson's double-double's have come this season.

Currently, the sophomore forward is leading the conference for all games in points per game (17.0), rebounds per game (9.5), defensive rebounds per game (6.00), and offensive rebounds per game (3.50). She is also second in field goal percentage (.483), 12th in blocked shots per game (0.78) and 13th in free throw percentage (.560). For conference games she ranks sixth in scoring (14.4), second in rebounding (8.7), first in offensive rebounds (3.29), third in defensive rebounds (5.43), 10th in blocked shots (0.71), and 10th in field goal percentage (.414).

Lindsay Lopez Causes Concern:
While junior Lindsay Lopez (Antioch, CA) was going up for a lay-up on a fast break, Pepperdine's Tamara McDonald attempt to stand in front to draw the charge. Instead, Lopez got the foul call but hit the floor hard. The Deer Valley High School graduate received a cut over her right eye, causing excessive bleeding. At halftime, she was taken by a team doctor to receive four stitches, but returned for the second half.

Career Night for Newcomers:
Over the weekend against Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine, respectively, two newcomers tallied career best's. On Friday, January 31, Erika Urmonaite (Klaipeda, Lithuania) had a career-high of 10 rebounds, which was also a team-high, with a career-high 24 minutes played. Megan Bryan (San Diego, CA), had a career-high of one block against the Pepperdine Waves on Saturday, February 1 and tied a carer-high for rebounds with one in one minute played.

Gaels Among Conferences' Best:
Besides Triola Jackson and Julie Morris, Danielle Ferris and Katie Davis are also ranked among the conferences' best for all games. Ferris ranks third in assists (4.55 apg), fourth in steals (2.50 spg), and ninth in assists/turnover ratio (1.02); Davis ranks 30th in scoring (7.7 ppg), 11th in three-point field goals made (1.25), and 12th for blocked shots (0.70).

For conference games, Ferris, Davis, Evynn Van Burger and Lindsay Lopez are also ranked among the top in the WCC. Ferris ranks fourth for assists (4.00), ninth for steals (2.14), 11th for three-point field goals made (1.14) and seventh for assists/turnover ratio (0.93). Van Burger ranks 25th for scoring (7.6 ppg) and 10th for three-point field goals made (1.29). Davis ranks eighth for blocked shots (0.86), while Lopez ranks ninth for free throw percentage (.750).

Conference Commence:
The Gaels began the conference season with an 0-4 record after falling to rival Santa Clara on Friday, January 24. The Gaels' four losses in four tries marks the worst conference start since the 1987-88 season, in which the Gaels started a same 0-4. The Gaels current WCC record of 1-6 is the worst start in the school's history.

Magic of McKeon:
The Gaels have felt at ease on their home court this season posting a 6-4 record. Saint Mary's four-game home win streak was snapped on January 4 in a loss to Colorado State. Since head coach Michelle Jacoby has been on staff here at Saint Mary's, the Gaels are a whopping 66-15 at home. That's a winning percentage of .814.

McKeon Pavilion is Top Site for Women's Basketball:
The past three seasons, Saint Mary's McKeon Pavilion has been the number one venue for women's basketball in the West Coast Conference, averaging more than 1,200 fans per game. This year, despite the dismal record, the Gaels have continued that trait averaging a conference best 1,180 fans per event. The next closest is Gonzaga, who averages 811 fans per home game.

Road Woes:
This season the Gaels are 2-8 on the road with losses coming to UNLV, UCLA, Nevada-Reno, Fresno State, Portland, Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine, respectively. The Gaels won their first road game of the season over Pacific on Saturday, December 28. It was the first road victory for the Gaels since their 73-64 victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs on February 21, 2002. Noteably, when the Gaels take a plane trip on the road they are 0-7 and 2-1 when the team busses to an opponents arena.

Gaels Rankings as a Team:
The West Coast Conference has produced team statistics among the member schools for all games and conference games. For all games, Saint Mary's ranks in the top half of the conference in three categories after a back-to-back losses in Southern California. The Gaels are third in the conference in defensive rebounds (26.65) and rebounding offense (38.5); and fourth in the conference in field goal percentage defense (.391). For conference games Saint Mary's ranks in the top half in six categories. SMC ranks second in three-point field goals made (5.71); third for three-point field goal percentages (.333); and fourth for scoring offense (60.1), rebounding offense (38.7), offensive rebounds (11.57) and defensive rebounds (27.14).

DE-FENSE!:
After 20 games the Gaels' defense has improved compared to last year's winning team. Last year the Gaels forced 15.4 turnovers per game and robbed 6.3 steals per game. This year, the Gaels are forcing 18.3 turnovers per game and recording 7.9 steals per game. That's an improvement of 2.9 turnovers per game and 1.6 steals per game.

Injury Report:
The Gaels will be without the likes of two solid contributors. Natalie Kelly (neck) and Levalasi Key (back) are both out indefinitely.

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Women's Basketball to Battle San Francisco on Saturday

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