University Southern California Trojans
Women of Troy Prepare For No. 14 UCLA
January 10, 2000 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 10, 2000
The Facts -- With wins over Washington State (Jan. 7) and Washington (Jan. 9), USC (7-5, 2-0) garnered its first sweep in a Pac-10 opening weekend since the 1996-97 season. The Trojans, No. 14 UCLA and Arizona State are now the only Pac-10 teams undefeated in conference play. The Women of Troy prepare for the ?battle of the unbeatens? on Sunday, Jan. 16, when they face the Bruins at Pauley Pavilion. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
Media Teleconference -- The second Pac-10 media teleconferences of the season will be on Tuesday, Jan. 11, from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. PT. Men's and women's Pac-10 coaches will first be asked to open with a general comment about how the season is going thus far, then open to the media for 1-2 questions. Please call the USC Sports Information office for the dial-in number. Head Coach Chris Gobrecht will begin her segment at 9:55 a.m.
Women of Troy Live On the Web -- Fans can now listen to all Women of Troy home basketball games, and the upcoming game at UCLA, live on the web throughout the Pac-10 season. Just log on to http://www.usctrojans.com and catch all the action via the internet.
The Streak(s) Is Over -- Friday?s (Jan. 7) win ended two plaguing streaks for USC. The Trojans entered the game on a three-game slump which began on the road, Dec. 21, against UC Santa Barbara. It was the first set of consecutive losses for the Women of Troy this season. The victory also marked the end of a six-game Pac-10 losing streak, which ended the 1998-99 season for the Trojans. USC?s last Pac-10 victory was against Cal on Feb. 12, 1999.
Record-Breaking Nights -- USC?s Pac-10 opener was truly a record-breaking weekend for the Trojans. As a team and individually, USC tied or broke eight records. Erica Mashia?s six three-pointers surpassed a personal career-best, tied the program record and set a Pac-10 season-high. USC?s eight team three-pointers ranks fourth among all-time program records. Tiffany Washington?s 11-of-14 at the line also marked a career-best. The Trojans also held Washington State to a season-low 19 points in the first half. On Sunday (Jan. 9), against Washington, USC recorded its best field goal percentage of the season (51.4), and forward Tashara Carter surpassed a career-high with 21 points in the game.
Game #12 - vs. Washington (Jan. 9) -- Posting eight points in the final two minutes, Tashara Carter led USC (7-5, 2-0) in a 77-66 victory over Washington. Carter recorded a career-best 21 points in the game, Danielle Golay added 17, and Tiffany Elmore posted 16. The Women of Troy displayed their best first-half performance of the year, entering halftime with a 17-point advantage (48-31) on a season-best 51.4 shooting effort. USC only surrendered three turnovers in the half, while forcing Washington to commit 10. The Trojans embarked on a 7-2 run to begin the second half, before Washington began to cutaway on the Trojans? 22-point lead (55-33). The Huskies came within three until Carter?s jumper at 1:54 allowed USC to end a three-minute scoring drought and regain control of the game.
Game #11 - vs. Washington State (Jan. 7) -- USC defeated Washington State, 71-61, to break a six-game Pac-10 losing streak for the Women of Troy (dating back to Feb. 14, 1999), and a three-game losing streak this season. Erica Mashia had a career-best performance with six three-pointers (6-of-9), tieing USC's all-time program record and breaking the Pac-10 record for the 1999-2000 season. Tiffany Washington led a nearly perfect Trojan display at the line, accounting for 11-of-14 free throws, while tallying her first (and the Trojans' first) double-double this year. USC's defense held the Cougars to a season-low 19 points and 26.9 percent (7-of-26) shooting in the first half, as the Trojans entered the break with a 34-19 advantage. The Women of Troy were able to maintain control of the game, despite allowing Washington State to come within seven (44-37) with 12:28 remaining on the clock. After forcing 14 turnovers in the first half, USC was fell victim to 24 of their own in the game.
Injury Update -- Junior guard Ayeshia Smith broke her middle finger on her left hand during the Washington State game (Jan. 7). She is out indefinitely for the remainder of the season.
USC News & Notes -- UCLA is the Trojans? fifth ranked opponent this season ??? USC is one of only three Pac-10 teams undefeated in conference play ??? The Women of Troy are off to their first 2-0 Pac-10 start since the 1996-97 season ??? With three-straight road losses to UCSB, Notre Dame and Rutgers, the Trojans? endured their first losing streak of the 1999-2000 season ??? USC's victory over Baylor marked the Trojans' first win over a Big 12 opponent since March 21, 1993 (vs. Nebraska, 78-60, at NCAA First Round) ??? The Women of Troy have posted a 22-2 all-time record in home openers with the win against Creighton (Nov. 26) ??? With a season-opening win over Portland (Nov. 23), the Trojans broke a six-game losing streak dating back to last season ??? USC will face three defending conference champions this season prior to conference play, including Texas Tech (Big XII), UC Santa Barbara (Big West) and Rutgers (Big East) ??? Troy's 1999 recruiting class was ranked among the nation's top by several publications: No. 8 Athlon Sports College Basketball Preview, No. 9 Women's Basketball Journal, No. 14 Blue Star Basketball Report ??? USC was picked to finished seventh in the Pac-10 preseason coaches poll.
Notes On UCLA -- 14th-ranked UCLA enters this week with a 8-4 overall record, and 2-0 mark in the Pac-10. To open the conference schedule, the Bruins defeated Washington, 90-54, and Washington State, 87-60, last week. UCLA?s four losses in the nonconference season were all to ranked opponents, including #2 Tennessee, #4 Louisiana Tech, #9 Rutgers and #1 UConn. Currently, the team leads the Pac-10 in rebounding (44.2 rpg) and steals (11.4 spg), and ranks second in scoring (78.3 ppg). Senior guard Maylana Martin leads the conference in rebounding (8.9 rpg) and is fourth in scoring (16.8 ppg). The defending conference champions have five returning starters from last season?s NCAA Elite Eight team, but newcomer Nicole Kaczmarski has made her way into the starting lineup, averaging 10.8 points per game.
USC-UCLA Series Record -- This crosstown rivalry remains the longest standing and most evenly match series in USC program history. Sunday?s game will mark the 54th meeting between the Trojans and Bruins. With UCLA?s recent success, having won the last 5-of-7 games, USC now owns a 28-26 advantage in the series. Troy has dropped the last four games, including two losses in 1998-99, 94-53 at UCLA and 82-64 at home.
Pac-10 WBB Features -- Each Wednesday throughout the Pac-10 season, one of the Pac-10.org?s women?s basketball columnists will offer an inside look at what?s going on around the Pac-10 Conference. This week, Mary Murphy gets us started with her peek inside the preseason world of the Pac-10. Check it out at http://www.pac-10.org/releases/wbkcolumn.html.
Thank The Defense -- Though the offense has not been able to reach the 50-percent mark this season, USC's defense continues to produce. The Trojans have held their foes to 61.7 points per game - a mark which ranks second in the Pac-10. The team also ranks third among conference leaders in turnover margin, forcing an average 2.5 more turnovers per game.
USC Against Ranked Opponents -- On November 29, Troy nearly defeated No. 7 Texas Tech. After leading the entire game, USC allowed the Red Raiders to tie the score with 1:44 remaining, then lost on a two-point buzzer-beater in overtime. Troy's performance against UCSB was not nearly as strong, falling to the Gauchos, 77-53 (Dec. 21). Immediately following its meeting with the UC Santa Barbara, USC was defeated by No. 12 Notre Dame, 74-59, on the road (Dec. 27). In the final game of USC?s Big East tour, the Trojans surrendered a 17-point loss to No. 15 Rutgers. Troy will face three ranked opponents in conference play, No. 14 UCLA, No. 20 Arizona and No. 23 Oregon.
Team Newcomers Find Pac-10 Success -- Between the seven newcomers on the USC roster, two remain among top conference leaders. Senior transfer Danielle Golay ranks ninth in field goal percentage (49.6), ninth in scoring (12.9 ppg) and eleventh in rebounds (6.2 rpg). Junior transfer Denise Woods ranks third in blocks (1.92 bpg).
Prep Connection -- 1999-2000 is the third and final season two prep teammates will share the Trojan spotlight. Senior forward Tiffany Washington and junior forward Tashara Carter both hail from Bishop Montgomery High in Torrance, Calif. As preps, each was named Del Rey League MVP and Division III Player of the Year. In 1995-96, the duo helped lead Bishop Montgomery to the Southern Section Division III championships and state finals. At USC, Washington and Carter have started in nearly every game for the past two seasons. They return this season as the team's top two rebounders with a 7.0 and 6.0 average in 1998-99.
Vote of Confidence -- During the Lifetime television broadcast of the Four in the Fall Classic in Lubbock, Texas, the analysts were asked which teams they predict will reach the 2000 Final Four. USC Alum Cynthia Cooper of the WNBA's Houston Comets had this to say... "La Tech, UConn, Tennessee, USC... I like a Cinderella favorite. My old Trojans, USC - they're going to upset everyone."
Mashia is Back -- After missing the last three seasons due to injuries, senior guard Erica Mashia has finally returned to the USC starting lineup As a freshman, Mashia made a noticeable impact on the Pac-10 and became the sixth player in program history to be named to the Pac-10 All-Freshman team. Only 13 games into her career at USC, she set a conference and program record for consecutive free throws made (33). With an 84.4 free throw percentage that season, she remains as USC's all-time single-season leader. Her accomplishments as a freshman were unfortunately followed by two consecutive hip injuries and a knee injury that forced her to sit out the past three seasons.
All-Pac-10 Returner -- Sophomore guard Tiffany Elmore returns this season after earning All-Pac-10 honorable mention honors as a freshman. Starting in 25 of 27 games in 1998-99, Elmore was forced to exhibit tremendous leadership and skill in only her first year. She finished the season as the team's second-highest scorer (11.9 ppg) after twice scoring a career-high 24 points against Drake (11/25/98) and California (2/12/99). Adrain Williams, who graduate in May 1999, was the team's other 1998-99 all-conference selection.
Transfer Talent -- Two players, forced to sit and watch the team struggle last season, are eligible and eager to see playing time in 1999-2000. Denise Woods and Danielle Golay redshirted the 1998-99 season after each transferred from Division I programs. Woods, a 6-foot-2 center, played her first two collegiate seasons at the University of San Francisco. As a sophomore, she earned All-West Coast Conference honors and averaged 14.0 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Golay, a 6-foot-2 forward, transferred after having played three seasons at Seton Hall. There, she earned All-Big East honors as a junior after leading the team in scoring (17.2 ppg), field goal percentage (.521) and rebounds (8.2 rpg).
2000 Recruits -- Ebony Hoffman of Narbonne High in Harbor City, Calif., the top-rated post player in the country, has signed a letter-of-intent with the USC women's basketball team, head coach Chris Gobrecht announced Tuesday (Nov. 16). Signing with Hoffman are guards Aisha Hollans of Berkeley (Calif.) High, and Ryane Alexander of Copperas Cove (Tex.) High. Hoffman, a 6-foot-2 center, averaged 15.7 rebounds and 3.9 blocks per game as a junior last season, earning All-America, All-State and All-L.A. City accolades. Also a highly-touted player, Hollans was recently ranked No. 21 among the nation's recruits by the All-Star Girls Report. Alexander, a 5-foot-7 point guard, averaged 8.2 points, 3.8 steals and 3.8 assists per game last season.
Head Coach Chris Gobrecht -- Chris Gobrecht enters her third season at the helm of the USC women's basketball program. Replacing former head coach Fred Williams on May 8, 1997, Gobrecht returned to her alma mater to help guide the Women of Troy back to national prominence. Throughout 21 years of head coaching experience, Gobrecht has amassed a 358-242 (.597) career record with her programs at Cal State Fullerton (six years), Washington (11), Florida State (one) and USC. During her 11-year tenure at Washington, she was twice named Pac-10 Coach of the Year (1987 and 1988). Gobrecht remains the second-winningest coach in conference history with a 145-74 (.662) mark, and she ranks 37th among active Division I coaches with 358 career victories.
USC Announces On-Campus Events Center -- On October 21, USC announced plans to begin construction of a multipurpose on-campus events center that will be home to USC basketball and volleyball. Construction is to begin next summer and it is expected that the 12,000-seat arena will be officially completed by January 2002. Current plans locate the facility on the southeast corner of Jefferson Boulevard and Figueroa Street, adjacent to the University Park Campus.
Player Profiles _____________________________________________________________
#3 Tiffany Elmore
Guard, 5-10, Sophomore, Sacramento, CA (Florin)
Last season's starting guard, Elmore was a All-Pac-10 honorable mention selection in 1998-99. She finished as high as 13th among conference scoring leaders, and her 11.9 points per game average was second on the team. This season... Has played in 11 games and made 11 starts... With 11 points (4-of-14), she was Troy?s only player to score in double figures, posting a team-leading eight rebounds, three steals and three blocks, but was responsible for seven of 22 USC turnovers against Long Beach State (Dec. 8)... Added a season-high 14 points and career-best 5 assists against Baylor (Dec. 19)... Posted 12 points and six rebounds against UCSB (Dec. 21)... Fouled out against the Gauchos... Suffered a sprained right ankle on Jan. 5 during practice, and did not play against Washington State (Jan. 7)... Had a season-best 16 points (7-of-11) against Washington (Jan. 9).
#5 Camille Norwood
Guard, 5-8, Sophomore, Los Angeles, CA (Washington)
Known for her ball-handling skills and offensive touch, Norwood will compete for starting time at the point position this season. This season... Has played in 9 games... Hit 5-of-6 at the line against Baylor (Dec. 19)... Sat-out against Washington State (Jan. 7) due to a one-game suspension for an infraction of team rules.
#11 Erica Mashia
Guard, 5-7, Senior, Portland, OR. (Jefferson)
Mashia makes a final comeback attempt this season after being forced to sit out the past three years due to knee and hip injuries. An All- Pac-10 Freshman selection in her first year with the Trojans, Mashia looks to reclaim her reputation. This season... Has played in 12 games and made 6 starts... Made her official return to the court against Portland (Nov. 23), posting 10 points and shooting 4-of-7 from the field, including 1-of-3 from three-point range... Sparked the team with a familiar performance against SDSU (Dec. 4) with five three-pointers which tied a career-best and USC?s fourth-best all-time game record... Went 1-of-7 (3 points) from the field against LBSU (Dec. 8)... Made her first start since 1995-96 against Baylor (Dec. 19), but struggled at the point with 7 turnovers... Set a season-high with five assists against UCSB (Dec. 21)... Hit 2-of-5 from behind the arch (4-of-10 overall, 10 points) and forced six turnovers against Notre Dame (Dec. 27)... Tied a season-best with 15 points against Rutgers (Dec. 30) with a 50 percent shooting effort, including 3-of-7 three-pointers... Had her best performance this season against Washington State (Jan. 7), hitting 6-of-9 three pointers and added four rebounds and 20 points... Her six three-pointers tied a USC all-time record, set a personal career-best and marked a Pac-10 season-best.
#12 Ayeshia Smith
Guard, 5-5, Junior, Philadelphia, PA. (Cowley County CC)
A transfer from Cowley Community College, Smith possesses a knack for ball handling and passing, and the ability to score from the perimeter. This season... Has played in 11 games and made 4 starts... Led the team with 11 points (3-10) and seven assists against Portland (Nov. 23)... Accounted for 13 points (6-13) against Creighton (Nov. 26)... Had nine assists against San Diego State (Dec. 4)... Added three assists against the 49ers (Dec. 8)... Hit 2-of-2 from three-point range for six points against Rutgers (Dec. 30)... She is out indefinitely for the remainder of the season after breaking her middle finger on her left hand against Washington State (Jan. 9).
#13 Denise Woods
Center, 6-2, Junior, Richmond, CA (Univ. of San Francisco)
Woods joins the squad this season as a redshirt junior after transferring from San Francisco. An 1998 All-West Coast Conference selection, she brings needed size and skill to the post. This season... Has played in 12 games and made 6 starts... Made game-winning layup in USC's narrow defeat of Creighton (Nov. 26)... Added a season-high 19 points (8-11) against Texas Tech (Nov. 29), and led the team with eight rebounds and three blocks... Shot a team-high 40.0 percent against LBSU (Dec. 8), and added two blocks and seven boards... Posted a season-best 12 boards, and accounted for three blocks against Sac State (Dec. 11)... Blocked a personal-best four shots against Washington State (Jan. 7) and added 13 points... Went 4-of-4 from the field (8 points) and made three stops against Washington (Jan. 9).
#14 Carmen Krause
Forward, 6-1, Sophomore, Prescott, AZ (Prescott)
Honored as the team's "Most Improved Player" last season, Krause returns to the forward position to add depth and valuable experience gained in 1998-99. This season... Has played in 11 games... Did not travel to Portland (Nov. 23) due to illness... Had a career-best performance against Baylor (Dec. 19) with 11 points (4-of-5) and added 4 rebounds... Went 5-of-6 at the line, grabbed seven rebounds and forced two turnovers against UCSB (Dec. 21) - all season highs.
#15 Lauren Smith-Hams
Guard, 5-7, Freshman, Los Altos, CA (Pinewood)
The daughter of one of the cofounders of the American Basketball League, Smith-Hams was an all-league first team four-year selection as a prep. This season... Has played in 12 games and made 3 starts... Made first start against Creighton on November 26... In only her second start of the season against Sac State (Dec. 11), she hit 3-of-6 from three-point range to add to 11 total points.
#20 Tennille Grant
Guard/Forward, 5-10, Freshman, Kansas City, MO (Northeast)
A Nike Midwest All-American, Grant possesses quickness and scoring ability at the small forward position. This season... Has played in 11 games... Was 2-of-2 from the field against San Diego State (Dec. 4)... Hit 2-of-3 from the field, 2-of-2 at the line (6 points) and added five rebounds against Sac State (Dec. 11)... Played 17 minutes against Rutgers (Dec. 30).
#21 Erin Young
Guard, 5-11, Freshman, Dallas, TX (Highland Park)
A 1999-2000 walk-on, Young has proven to be a talented and athletic guard in her first season at Troy. This season... Has played in 7 games... Tallied her first field goal of the season with a three-point shot against Sac State (Dec. 11)... Played seven minutes and added one three-pointer and one board against Notre Dame (Dec. 27)... Topped her previous performances with nine points, including 2-3 from three-point range in 21 minutes of play against Washington State (Jan. 7).
#22 Tashara Carter
Forward, 6-0, Junior, Harbor City, CA (Bishop Montgomery)
A two-year starter, Carter gained valuable experience at both the guard and forward positions last season. Among the returners, she led last year's squad in assists (1.78 apg), steals (2.0 spg) and blocks (0.70 bpg). This season... Has played in 12 games and made 12 starts... Posted a team-leading nine rebounds and three blocks at Portland (Nov. 23)... Added five assists against Texas Tech (Nov. 29)... Fouled out against LBSU (Dec. 8)... Accounted for 11 points and career-best six assists against Sac State (Dec. 11), while shooting 66.6 percent on the night... Tied career-best with six assists against Baylor (Dec. 19), while accounting for 14 points (6-of-9)... Added 10 points, including 10th and 11th straight points at the line against Notre Dame (Dec. 27)... Fouled out against Rutgers (Dec. 30)... Scored a career-high 21 points (9-of-13) against Washington (Jan. 9) - seven of which were scored in the final two minutes.
#35 Portia Mitchell
Center, 6-4, Freshman, Los Angeles, CA (Narbonne)
A Women's Basketball Journal, Nike and Student Sport All-American, Mitchell provides size at the post for the Trojans. This season... Has not played in the first 12 games of the season since failing to meet conditioning requirements.
#40 Tiffany Washington
Forward, 6-2, Senior, Lawndale, CA (Bishop Montgomery)
Undoubtedly the squad's most experienced player, Washington has played an important role in the program over the last four years. Last season she was the fifth-leading rebounder (7.0 rpg) in the Pac-10. This season... Has played in 12 games and made 6 starts... Had two steals and six boards against San Diego State (Dec. 4)... Nearly posted a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds against Sac State (Dec. 11)... Led the team with five rebounds against Notre Dame (Dec. 27)... Started against Rutgers (Dec. 30) and added four rebounds and five points... Posted the team?s first double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 boards against Washington State (Jan. 7) - all points were tallied at the line.
#43 Danielle Golay
Forward, 6-2, Senior, Manassas, VA (Seton Hall Univ.)
Golay joins the program as an active player after three seasons at Seton Hall. An All-Big East second team pick her final season, she averaged 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. This season... Has played in 11 games and made 11 starts... Added 10 points and was perfect from the line (4-4) against Portland (Nov. 23)... Nearly missed a double-double with 10 points and nine boards against Creighton (Nov. 26), while shooting 4-of-4 from the line and leading the team with three steals... Added 14 points against Texas Tech (Nov. 29)... Led the team in scoring with 16 points and had boards and two steals against SDSU (Dec. 4)... Added a team-leading 12 points against Sac State (Dec. 11)... Led the team with a season-best 19 points (75%) and eight rebounds against Baylor (Dec. 19), and was perfect at the line (4-of-4)... Had a game-leading 17 points (6-13) and seven boards against UCSB (Dec. 21)... With a similar performance, hit 6-of-13 on the night to lead the team with 16 points, five rebounds and four assists against Notre Dame (Dec. 27)... Posted 12 points (5-of-11) and five boards against Rutgers (Dec. 30)... Had 17 points against Washington (Jan. 9).
