Jan. 23, 2003

THIS BUILDING LOOKS VAGUELY FAMILIAR: USF women's basketball plays their first game in more than a month in the friendly confines of War Memorial Gym when they host San Diego Friday and Santa Clara Saturday in West Coast Conference play. The Lady Dons look to bounce back after suffering a league road sweep last weekend at Gonzaga and Portland. It was the first time San Francisco was swept in the Pacific Northwest since the 1999 campaign. The Lady Dons went 4-4 during the longest road trip in program history and have a 4-6 record away from home this season. In contrast, USF is just 2-5 at War Memorial Gym this season. USF last played a home contest in a 53-44 loss to Southern Mississippi Dec. 17.

LADY DONS AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS: Two Lady Dons rank in the top-15 among NCAA Division I statistical leaders, as released Jan. 20. Junior forward Carey Sauer, who finished the 2001-2002 season ranked third in free throw percentage at .918 (90-98), currently ranks 15th at .891 (57-64). Sophomore guard Toni Russell is tied for 13th in steals per game with 3.8 swipes per outing.

USF ON THE RADIO AND THE NET: USF women's basketball begins its seventh season on the radio and in cyberspace for the 2002-2003 season. All 28 USF Lady Dons regular season games will be broadcast this year on both the air (KUSF, 90.3 FM) and the web, courtesy of YahooBroadcast. Women's hoops fans can access the internet broadcasts from their personal computers from the official website of the USF Athletic Department, www.usfdons.com. George Devine, the Dean of women's basketball broadcasters in the West Coast Conference returns for his seventh season of bringing all the exciting play-by-play from his position courtside.

PROBABLE SAN DIEGO TORERO STARTERS
(AS OF 1/20/03):
G. #3 Kerri Nakamoto, 5-6, Sr.
(8.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 4.6 assists)
G. #12 Polly Dong, 5-6, Fr.
(3.6 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 3.0 assists)
C. #34 Marta Menuez, 6-1, Jr.
(11.1 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 0.9 assists)
F. #42 Erin Malich, 6-1, Sr.
(13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.0 assists)
F. #21 Marie Plocher, 5-9, Jr.
(7.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.8 assists)

PROBABLE SANTA CLARA BRONCOS STARTERS
(AS OF 1/20/03):
G. #30 Quinn Thomas, 5-9, So.
(10.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.7 assists)
G. #20 Tammy Annas, 5-11, Sr.
(10.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 2.1 steals)
G. #33 Kayla Huss, 5-7, So.
(10.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 5.2 assists)
F. #44 Julie Butler, 6-2, Sr.
(9.1 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.0 assists)
F. #52 Kendra Rhea, 6-0, Sr.
(7.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.0 assists)

USF LADY DONS PROBABLE STARTERS-
(As Of 1/20/03):
G. #2 Toni Russell, 5-3, So.
(8.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 3.6 assists, 3.8 steals)
G. #22 Joy Hollingsworth, 5-10, Fr.
(8.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 2.2 steals)
G. #13 Merisa Leatherman, 5-10, Jr.
(4.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.5 assists)
C. #5 Leeane Jensen, 6-3, So.
(4.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.1 assists)
F. #42 Carey Sauer, 6-0, Jr.
(16.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.0 assists)

SCOUTING SAN DIEGO: The Toreros are off to a 7-9 start and have posted a 1-2 during the first two weeks of West Coast Conference play. USD posted a home split last weekend during league action, downing the Lions (65-61) before falling to Pepperdine (69-54). Senior forward Erin Malich leads a talented group of Torero post players and averages 13.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per outing. Junior center Marta Menuez adds 11.1 points and a team best 6.7 rebounds to the mix, while senior guard Kerri Nakamoto chips in 8.5 points and dishes out 4.6 assists per night. As a team, San Diego averages 62.4 points per game, while converting at a .397 (362-911) clip from the floor, including .345 (86-249) from 3-point range. The Toreros do not take care of the basketball very well and average 20 turnovers a night. Head coach Kathy Marpe is in her 23rd season at Alcala Park and has amassed 272 wins at USD and has 359 in her 29 year career.

SERIES RECORD/STREAK: USF leads 18-15/USF two wins

LAST MEETINGS: USF 79, San Diego 55 (1/31/02); at USF 64, San Diego 63 (2/16/02)

TEAM COMPARISONS (AS OF 1/20/03):

Team	PPG	Margin	FG%	3-FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	TOPG	SPG	BPG
USF	58.8	-3.6	.385	.316	.723	34.0	11.3	16.9		9.2	2.4
San Diego	62.4	+0.6	.397	.345	.675	36.7	15.4	20.4		9.1	2.3

LAST TIME AGAINST THE LADY DONS: USF fought off a determined effort by San Diego to take a 64-63 squeaker against the Toreros to win their third straight West Coast Conference game at War Memorial Gym. Senior guard Lindsey Huff poured in a team-high 16 points for the Lady Dons, while sophomore forward Carey Sauer added 15 points and seven rebounds. San Francisco secured the win at the free throw line where they converted at a .781 (25-32) clip. The contest completed the 2002 season sweep of the Toreros for the first time since the 1997 campaign.

SCOUTING SANTA CLARA: The Broncos are 11-5 so far in the 2002-2003 season and own a 2-1 West Coast Conference record with their lone loss coming to preseason favorite Pepperdine (71-65) last weekend, snapping a five-game winning streak. Santa Clara bounced back the next night, downing Loyola Marymount (76-60). The Broncos boast a high octane offense averaging 69.9 points per game on a remarkable .452 (424-939) field goal percentage. The key to Santa Clara's success is balance. Three players average in double figures, led by senior guard Tammy Annas and sophomore guard Kayla Huss at 10.4 points per game. Eight Broncos average at least six points per game, while six average at least eight per night. Santa Clara has posted a 5-2 record on the road this season. Michelle Bento is in her first season as the head coach of the Broncos in her first Division I coaching stop. Bento served as the top assistant at Big East power Syracuse.

SERIES RECORD/STREAK: Santa Clara leads 30-29/USF won one

LAST MEETINGS: at Santa Clara 65, USF 64 (2/2/02); at USF 87, Santa Clara 79 (2/15/02)

PRIOR TO USF: At Saint Mary's (7-10, 0-3 WCC) Fri., Jan. 24.

TEAM COMPARISONS (AS OF 1/20/03):

Team	PPG	Margin	FG%	3-FG%	FT%	RPG	APG	TOPG	SPG	BPG
USF	58.8	-3.6	.385	.316	.723	34.0	11.3	16.9		9.2	2.4
Santa Clara	69.9	+9.3	.452	.348	.755	37.4	19.0	20.9		10.0	3.3

LAST TIME AGAINST THE LADY DONS: San Francisco broke through for their first win against Santa Clara since the 1997 season, with a satisfying 87-79 victory at War Memorial Gym. Senior guard Lindsey Huff poured in a career-high 27 points in front of 2,157 fans. Sophomore forward Carey Sauer added 13 points and nine rebounds, while freshman center Leeane Jensen added eight points to go along with seven rebounds.

SAUER ERUPTS FOR CAREER-HIGH 32 POINTS: Junior forward Carey Sauer poured in a career-high 32 points in USF's 73-59 loss at Portland (1/18/03). There must be something she likes about the Chiles Center. Sauer scored 28 points as a freshman in the Rose City and equalled the total last year in an overtime win at Cal Poly. Sauer's monster game is the first 30-point performance from a Lady Don since USF Hall-of-Famer Valerie Gillon scored 30 against Sacramento State (1/4/96). Sauer also tied current USF head coach Mary Hile-Nepfel in 12th place on the single-game scoring records. Hile-Nepfel reached or passed the 30-point plateau nine times. USF Hall-of-Famer Teri Hunt set the program standard with 42 points against San Diego (1/31/87).

LISA WHITESIDE LOST FOR THE SEASON: USF's loss at Gonzaga was especially costly. Senior guard Lisa Whiteside ruptured her Achilles tendon ending her season and career on the Hilltop. Whiteside was on her way to another career year for the Lady Dons and averaged 8.1 points and 3.1 rebounds and led the team with a .485 field goal percentage. USF's lone senior and team captain scored a career-high 23 points in a loss against #19 BYU (12/5/02).

MARY JANE KRUEGER STILL OUT: Junior forward Mary Jane Krueger is still recovering from a staph infection in her knee. Krueger will be re-evaluated Friday, Jan. 24. The team hopes to have Krueger back in the lineup for the second half of West Coast Conference play. Krueger was leading the team in rebounds (8.5) and blocked shots (1.5) and added 7.6 points per game.

THE LADY DONS' LONELY BENCH: USF's injury woes have placed even more of a burden on the reserves for head coach Mary Hile-Nepfel. The four players currently available on USF's bench have combined for just 69 points and 60 rebounds in 17 games, averaging 4.1 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

CAREY SAUER BACK FOR THE LADY DONS: Junior forward Carey Sauer returns for USF after posting an outstanding sophomore campaign on the Hilltop. Sauer, a 2002 All-West Coast Conference First Team selection, averaged 11.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game last season. In addition, the Newport, WA native ranked third in the nation in free throw percentage at .918 (90-98) and set a USF single-season record in free throw percentage. Sauer provided most of the offense in the Lady Dons' opener at #18 Colorado State in the 2002 Preseason WNIT, pouring in a team-high 17 points on 6-of-12 from the floor. Sauer turned in a terrific performance against #6 Stanford, scoring 16 points, including 2-of-3 from long distance. In three games against the top-25, Sauer has been sweet, averaging 17.3 points on .474 (18-38) from the floor to go along with 5.0 rebounds. In USF's convincing win against Seton Hall, Sauer went 12-for-12 at the free throw line, finishing with a team-high 18 points to go along with eight boards and added a game-high 22 points against Syracuse. It was the third time in her career that Sauer went 12-of-12 from the charity stripe. Sauer exploded for 32 points at Portland to establish a new career-high and was the first Lady Don in nine years to score 30 or more in a contest. Sauer leads the team in scoring (16.4), free throw percentage .891 (57-64) and is the leading 3-point shooter, converting on .418 (28-67). Sauer leads the West Coast Conference and ranks 15th among NCAA Division I leaders at the free throw line. So far this season, Sauer has led the Lady Dons in scoring in nine games and has been the top rebounder in three contests.

TONI RUSSELL - MASTER THIEF: Sophomore guard Toni Russell prepares for her second season of basketball on the Hilltop and looks to build off her 2002 West Coast Conference Freshman of the Year campaign. Russell, a relentless defender and clutch shooter, led the WCC in steals last season (2.6) and led the team in assists (3.1). Russell scored 10 points to go along with four steals in the 2002-2003 season opener at #18 Colorado State in the 2002 Preseason WNIT. In a win against Nevada-Reno, Russell scored nine points, pulled down four rebounds and dished out five assists. Russell was equally impressive against #6 Stanford, scoring 13 points to go along with six assists, six steals, four rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Russell was a big spark in USF's victory against Seton Hall, scoring nine points to go along with six steals and three assists in 37 minutes. Russell poured in a career-high 16 points in the loss against Montana. In a rout of Long Beach State, Russell recorded a career-high 10 steals in just 28 minutes of playing time. On the season, Russell leads the team in assists (3.6), steals (3.8) and ranks third in scoring (8.7). In addition, Russell leads the West Coast Conference and rates 13th among NCAA Division I leaders in steals. Already in just 17 contests, Russell owns a share of seventh place in the USF single-season record books with 67. Mary Hile is the single-season leader with 135 in 1979-80. Russell turned in the fifth highest single-season total last season with 78 swipes.

MARY JANE KRUEGER A BOARD WARRIOR: Redshirt junior center Mary Jane Krueger makes a much-anticipated return to the lineup for the Lady Dons this season. Krueger missed the entire 2001-2002 season after tearing her right ACL November 3, 2001. In USF's win against Nevada-Reno in the 2002-2003 home opener, Krueger scored seven points and pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds, 10 coming in the first half. Krueger followed it with a six point, 12 rebound effort against #6 Stanford. In USF's win against Seton Hall, Krueger posted her first double-double of the season with a 11 point, 12 rebound night and followed it with another with a 11 point, 13 rebound effort against Syracuse. It was the fourth straight game Krueger pulled down at least 10 boards. Krueger was one rebound shy of her third double-dip of the season against Montana finishing with 11 points and nine boards. Krueger chipped in her sixth double-digit rebound performance with 15 in a win at Long Beach State. On the season, Krueger leads USF in rebounds (8.5) and blocked shots (1.5) and is fifth in scoring (7.6).

JENSEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Sophomore forward Leeane Jensen is making a large contribution as the only healthy true post player on the roster. Jensen recovered from preseason ankle surgery and has played well for the Lady Dons in the last eight games, making six consecutive starts. Jensen scored a season-high 11 points at Portland, matching a career-high set last season in a win against Utah. On the season, Jensen averages 4.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.

SAUER APPROACHING GRAND CLUB: Junior forward Carey Sauer has continued her assault on the USF career scoring charts and the next stop is 1,000 career points after surpassing 900 at Portland (1/18/03). Following a career-high 32 points against the Pilots, Sauer has scored 927 points in two-plus seasons on the Hilltop and is the 15th player in program history to surpass 900 points and first since Lindsey Huff (1997-2002) achieved the plateau last season. Sauer ranks 15th on the USF career scoring charts and needs 76 points to pass Kim Bachman (1978-83) in 14th place. Bachman scored 1,002 points in her career on the Hilltop. Sauer has reached double-figures in scoring 46 times on the Hilltop in 75 career games. A 2002 All-West Coast Conference First Team selection, Sauer scored an amazing 2,100 points during her prep career in Washington.

JOY HOLLINGSWORTH TURNS IT ON: Freshman guard Joy Hollingsworth made a huge splash in her second start of the season against #6 Stanford. Hollingsworth poured in a game-high 18 points on 6-of-9 from the floor, including 5-for-6 from beyond the 3-point arc. The 2002 Washington State Player of the Year nearly sparked USF to a historic upset against the Cardinal, but gave the Lady Dons a big glimpse at the future. Hollingsworth scored 10 points and pulled down seven rebounds at Washington in front of about 100 friends and family members in Seattle. In USF's victory at UC Irvine, Hollingsworth scored 15 points and added five rebounds. Hollingsworth powered USF past Saint Mary's in the West Coast Conference opener with a career-high 20 points to go along with eight rebounds. Hollingsworth turned in the first double-double of her career in a 13 point, 12 rebound effort at Gonzaga and equalled her career-high in rebounds at Portland with 12 more boards. On the season, Hollingsworth averages 8.9 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game. Hollingsworth has led USF in scoring in four games and was top rebounder in four contests.