University Southern California Trojans
Women of Troy Open Pac-10 Against WSU, Washington
January 04, 2000 | Women's Basketball
Jan. 4, 2000
You can now listen to all Women of Troy home Pac-10 basketball games throughout the 1999-2000 season by logging on to usctrojans.com at game time.
The Facts -- After enduring a tough three-game road trip during the holidays, USC (5-5) is ready to embark upon the 1999-2000 Pac-10 season. The Women of Troy begin conference play at home this weekend against Washington State on Friday (Jan. 7), and Washington on Sunday (Jan. 9). Both games with be payed at the Lyon Center and will begin at 7 and 2 p.m.
Catch The Trojans On the Web -- You can catch both games this weekend live via the internet. To listen to the USC-Washington State game, log on to http://www.wsucougars.com and click on "Audio/Video" on the right-hand column. To listen to the USC-Washington game, log on to http://www.audionet.com/schools/washington/.
USC News & Notes -- With three-straight road losses, this is the Trojans? 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.
Kicking-Off The Pac-10 Season -- The Trojans have generally found success as they kick-off the Pac-10 season. The team owns an identical 8-5 record in both Pac-10 openers and Pac-10 home openers. Throughout program history, USC has won both games in the opening weekend of the Pac-10, five times (1996-97 vs Wash/WSU, 1993-94 vs. Oregon/OSU, 1992-93 vs. Arizona/ASU, 1991-92 vs. Oregon/OSU and 1987-88 vs. Oregon/OSU). In opening weekends at home, the Women of Troy have defeated both opponents, six times (1993-94 vs. Wash/WSU, 1992-93 vs. Oregon/OSU, 1991-92 vs. Oregon/OSU, 1990-91 vs. Arizona/ASU, 1987-88 vs. Oregon/OSU and 1986-87 vs. Oregon/OSU).
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.
Notes On Washington State -- The Cougars come to Los Angeles after posting a 3-7 record in nonconference action. Washington State defeated Wright State, Eastern Washington and Bowling Green since November, but enter this weekend on a two-game losing streak after falling to #22 UC Santa Barbara, 89-73, and Saint Mary?s, 83-59, at home. Senior Alke Dietel leads the team in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game. Junior Yvonne Volkman is averaging a team-leading 5.3 rebounds per contest and has averaged eight boards per game in her last three outings. Similar to the Trojans, the Cougars have utilized eight different starting lineups in their first 10 games.
USC-Washington State Series Record -- Friday?s game will mark the 28th meeting between these two teams. The first was in 1981-82 in a preseason game before the Cougars joined the Pac-10. USC owns a 17-10 overall record against Washington State, after dropping two games to the Cougars last season. WSU swept Troy 65-58 at home, and 63-51 in Pullman. Here?s how the teams compare:
Notes On Washington -- Washington enters conference play with a 4-8 overall record. The team?s four wins came against Southern Mississippi, Portland, Boise State and Idaho, and since defeating the Vandals of Idaho in the first round of the Seattle Times Husky Classic, Washington has posted three-straight losses. Most recently, the Huskies fell to Florida International, 82-68, at home. Junior guard Megan Franza currently leads the team and Pac-10 in scoring with a 20.9 points per game average, and ranks fourth among conference leaders in free throw shooting (80.3) and tenth in assists (3.0 apg). Freshman Kellie O?Neill leads the squad with a 7.5 rebounds per game average.
USC-Washington Series Record -- Washington is one of two Pac-10 schools (Stanford is the other) who own a winning record against USC. Since their first meeting in 1986-87, the Trojans have posted a 10-16 mark against the Huskies. Last season, Washington swept Troy twice, 79-71 at home, and 74-54 on the road. Here?s how the teams compare:
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 61.3 points per game - a mark which ranks second in the Pac-10 and ranks 15th nationally (as of 12/13). The team also ranks second among conference leaders in turnover margin, forcing an average 2.9 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. 6 UCLA, No. 14 Arizona and No. 19 Oregon.
Still Experimenting -- Ten games into the 1999-2000 season, Head Coach Chris Gobrecht is still experimenting with Trojans' starting lineup. There have been six different lineup combinations since the start of the season.
Team Newcomers Find Pac-10 Success -- Between the seven newcomers on the USC roster, three remain among top conference leaders. Senior transfer Danielle Golay ranks 7th in field goal percentage (52.2), 8th in scoring (13.4 ppg) and 12th in rebounds (6.2 rpg). Junior transfer Denise Woods ranks third in blocks (1.60 bpg) and freshman Lauren Smith Hams ranks 10th in three-point field goal percentage (34.5).
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 is finally ready to see some playing time. 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. So far this season she has tied a career-best mark with five three-pointers against San Diego State (Dec. 4) and made her first start in three seasons on December 19 against Baylor.
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 356-242 (.595) 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 143-74 (.659) mark, and she ranks 37th among active Division I coaches with 356 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.
GAME #10 - No. 15 Rutgers (Dec. 30) -- The Women of Troy fell to the 15th-ranked Scarlet Knights, 76-59, on Dec. 30 in Piscataway, NJ. Rutgers couldn't shake the Trojans early in the game, entering the half with a 32-23 lead. USC returned in the second to score the first four points of the half to get within five. The Scarlet Knights then went on a 10-2 run, for a 42-29 advantage. After Troy closed to 52-47, Rutgers put the game away with a 21-4 run over the next nine minutes. Erica Mashia had 15 points in the game and Danielle Golay added 12.
GAME #9 - No. 12 Notre Dame (Dec. 27) -- No. 12 Notre Dame defeated the Women of Troy, 74-59, on Monday, Dec. 27. Led by Danielle Golay who scored 16 points, USC was held to 34.3 percent shooting, compared Notre Dame?s 52.7. After leading by as much as eight points with 13:12 remaining in the first half, USC allowed the Irish to take a 34-32 lead upon entering the break. Notre Dame went on a 16-7 run to open the second half, holding USC without a field goal for nearly six minutes. The Trojans could not slow the momentum and Notre Dame pulled away for the win.
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 10 games and made 10 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.
#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).
#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 10 games and made 4 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.
#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 9 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).
#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 10 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).
#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 8 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 co-founders of the American Basketball League, Smith-Hams was an all-league first team four-year selection as a prep. This season... Has played in 10 games and made 2 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 10 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 6 games... Tallied her first field goal of the season with a three-point shot against Sac State (Dec. 11)... Played a season-best seven minutes and added one three-pointer and one board against Notre Dame (Dec. 27).
#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 10 games and made 10 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-strainght points at the line against Notre Dame (Dec. 27)... Fouled out against Rutgers (Dec. 30).
#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 sat-out during first 10 games.
#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 10 games and made 4 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.
#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 10 games and made 10 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).
