3/3/02
Women's Basketball: Year in Review
2001-2002 saw a new beginning in Women’s Basketball, as the program’s entry into the Cal Pac Conference allowed it to go to the playoffs for the first time in school history. Coach Laura Mitchell saw her team struggle mightily in pre-conference play, but then came together going 7-6 in Cal Pac games, and clinching the second playoff seed in the Southern Division. The Slugs finished the year 8-17.
The key point in the Slugs’ season was unquestionably their two upset wins over highly-touted Notre Dame de Namur, a team most expected to claim the final playoff spot. But UCSC persevered, defeating the Argonauts at home 69-59, and then winning at Belmont in overtime, 59-58.
The Slugs would clinch their playoff berth on February 15th at home against cross town rival Bethany College, on the same night departing seniors Brianne Faria and Allison Arnese were honored in a pregame ceremony. Although the Slugs playoff run was ended early by CSU Hayward, the team hopes to build upon this season’s success in the years to come.
Senior Brianne Faria was unquestionably the leader of this year’s squad. Faria was first on the team in rebounding (5.3), steals (2.3) and free-throw shooting. She was a close second in scoring (11.5), assists (2.1) and blocks (8 total). Faria’s 75.5% free throw shooting in conference games was fifth in the league. In leading UCSC to its first-ever playoff appearance, she was also named to the Cal Pac All-Conference team. The highlight of her season came in a 76-46 win over CSU Monterey Bay in which she recorded the first triple-double in school history with 18 points, 12 steals and 10 rebounds. Her 12 steals are a single-game record. Faria will leave UCSC ranked second all-time in scoring with 892 points.
Other great individual performers include Sophomore Guard Rachel Baudler, who led the team in scoring (12.5) and also lit up the Cal Pac with her three-point shooting (39.7%). Baudler finished third in the conference in three-point shooting and ninth in scoring. Her 44 steals on the season place her second on the team. Senior Center Allison Arnese ends her career having started 21 of 25 games in her final season. Arnese provided tough defense and leadership on a relatively young team. One of those young players was Freshman Forward Amanda Brecht, who made the Freshman All-Conference team, averaging 4.7 rebounds despite starting only 3 games. Sophomore Forward Shanamar Dewey provided a major spark off the bench, finishing third on the team in scoring (6.8), rebounds (3.5) and assists (33) despite starting starting only two games. Finally, Junior Guard Mischa Plunkett was fifth in the conference in assists with 3.3.
Congratulations to the whole team on their first playoff appearance.
2/22/02
Women's Basketball loses in first round of Cal Pac Playoffs
SAN RAFAEL, CA -- The Women's Basketball team, having made the playoffs for the first time in school history, saw their season end Thursday night as they lost in the first round of the Cal Pac playoffs to CSU Hayward, 40-59.Senior Guard/Forward Brianne Faria, playing in the final game of her UCSC career, had 3 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal on the night. Senior Allison Arnese, also playing her last game as a Banana Slug, scored 8 points.Janice Kolhoff led Hayward with 14 points.The game, played at Dominican College in San Rafael, saw the Slugs struggle from the field, shooting just 25.5%. UCSC was also out-rebounded 51-36. No UCSC player finished in double-digits.UCSC finishes its season at 8-17 with a 7-6 record in regular-season Cal Pac play.Congratulations to the whole team on their first playoff appearance.
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2/15/02
Senior Brianna Faria cuts around a pick set by fellow Senior Allison Arnese against Bethany. (top) After leaving the game, both Slugs took time to reflect on their careers at UCSC. (bottom) |
2/15/02
Seniors lead Women's Basketball to first ever postseason bid SANTA CRUZ-- On a night when whey were honored by teammates, family, friends and fans, Seniors Brianne Faria and Allison Arnese gave UCSC the greatest gift they could; a Cal Pac Conference playoff berth.UCSC's 62-53 win over Bethany College propelled them into the postseason for the first time in school history. Faria, a third-year starter at guard and forward, led the push, scoring 15 points with 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. Arnese, the team's starting center, recorded a season-high 12 points and 5 rebounds, as well as setting up numerous scores with her physical play.Junior Forwar Murriel Hays led Bethany with 16 points.The win brings UCSC's conference record to 7-5, locking up the #2 seed in the Cal Pac Conference's Southern division. The Slugs will find out early next week where and when they'll play.Faria, who will leave UCSC the team's second all-time leading scorer, has led the team all season with her intense hustling. She leads the team in rebounding (5.2), free-throw percentage (72.0%) and steals (56) and is also second on the team in scoring (11.7) and assists (50).Arnese has started 19 games for the Slugs this season, averaging 3.3 points and 2.0 rebounds a game, while providing a strong defensive presence throughout.The team has one final game remaining in the regular season as they travel to CSU Monterey Bay Saturday night.Congratulations to both Seniors on outstanding careers. Good luck!College roundup: Slug women head to playoffs for first time - Santa Cruz Sentinel
2/10/02
Women's Basketball loses at Menlo; still at playoff cusp
ATHERTON, CA -- The Women's Basketball team reamains one win away from making the Cal Pac playoffs after losing at Menlo College, 42-52 Friday night in Atherton.Senior Guard Brianne Faria scored 13 points with 4 rebounds and 3 steals in the loss. Sophomore Guard Rachel Baudler shot 3-of-7 from behind the 3-point arc, part of her 12 points on the night.Heather Hoffman of Menlo would lead the Oaks with 10 points in a low-scoring contest. Lindsay Green, who earlier in the season burned the Slugs with a 20 point - 7 rebound performance, collected 11 rebounds.UCSC was pounded on the boards; Menlo outrebounded the team 45-25. UCSC's 42 points were a season low. The Slugs shot just 30 percent from the field, and 47 percent from the free throw line. But UCSC stayed tough in the second-half; holding Menlo to 25 percent shooting.The loss snaps UCSC's season-high four game winning streak. UCSC's conference record is now 6-5; still leaving them in second place in the Cal Pac's southern division. UCSC's overall season record is now 7-15; already two wins better than last season.With a win this Friday at home against arch-rival Bethany College, the team can claim its first postseason appearance in school history. Game time is at 5:30 pm.
2/6/02
Women's Basketball wins fourth straight in OT at Notre Dame; in Playoff hunt
BELMONT, CA -- The Women's Basketball team won its fourth straight Cal Pac conference game, defeating Notre Dame de Lamur in overtime, 59-58.Sophomore Forward Shannamar Dewey came off the bench to score 17 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Dewey shot 7-of-14 from the field. Leading scorer Sophomore Guard Rachel Baudler had 16 points and 4 steals. Sherlita Montgomery would lead the Argonauts of Notre Dame with 18 points.This past weekend, the Slugs recorded wins over Simpson College at home, 56-37, and Pacific Union on the road, 71-33. Senior Guard Brianne Faria led UCSC against Simpson with 11 points. Junior Guard Marcie Haduca led a balanced attack against Pacific Union, scoring 10 points.This week's Cal Pac stats showed Baudler ranked ninth in the conference in scoring at 11.6. Faria's 74.3% free-throw shooting qualifies her at fourth in the conference.After starting the season at 1-11, UCSC has now rallied with four straight wins, all in league play. The team's 6-4 Cal Pac record keeps them in the playoff hunt. They're now ranked second in the Cal Pac's southern division.The team plays its next game this Friday at Menlo College.
1/28/02
Cal Pac Basketball: Men fall to 0-8, Women win at CSU Hayward
SANTA CRUZ -- The Men's Basketball team came up short against CSU Maritime Saturday night, losing 59-66 at the West Field.Brian Schafer lead the Keelhaulers with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Senior Center Jesse Senestrano would lead UCSC with 13 points, going 6 of 9 from the field.After being down the entire second half, the Slugs would rally, cutting the lead to 50-52 with Jesse Senestrano's tip-in with 5:15 left in the game. But the Keelhaulers would go on a run, eventually sealing the game on two free throws by Damon Gomes with 1:13 left.The UCSC Men had also lost the previous night at CSU Hayward, 80-92. Junior Forward Nic Echevestre led the Slugs with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Senestrano would add 18 and 10.The Men's record now stands at 3-15, and 0-8 in Cal Pac play.The Women's Basketball team won their game at Hayward Friday night, defeating the Pioneers, 44-41. Senior Guard Brianne Faria led the Slugs with 10 points and 6 rebounds. UCSC held Hayward to 23.6% shooting, one of their best defensive performances of the season. The team's record now stands at 4-14 overall, and 3-4 in Cal Pac play.Both teams play their next games this Saturday night against Simpson College. Start times are 5:30 pm for Women's and 7:30 pm for Men's.
1/20/02
Cal Pac Basketball: UCSC Men, Women swept by Menlo, Holy Names
SANTA CRUZ -- Both the Men's and Women's Basketball teams lost to their Menlo College counterparts Friday night at the West Field House.Lindsay Green scored 20 points and collected 7 rebounds for the Lady Oaks, defeating UCSC 60-70. UCSC took only 13 free-throw attempts in the game versus 30 for Menlo. Sophomore Guard Rachel Baudler led the Slugs with 14 points. Senior Guard Brianne Faria would have 8 points and 7 rebounds.The Men's Basketball team came out with a lot of intensity against Menlo College, who entered the game undefeated in Cal Pac Conference play. Sophomore Center Paul Williams would score a season-high 20 points and collect 10 rebounds, shooting 5-of-6 from three-point range. But after going into halftime with a 38-37 lead, UCSC would see it slip away in the second half as turnovers plagued the Slugs. The Oaks' Trevor Mates would score 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting in leading his team to the 67-75 win over UC Santa Cruz.On Saturday, the Women's Basketball team would face Holy Names College, 3-0 in conference play. The Lady Slugs shot 48% from the field in the first half, but went into halftime with just a one point lead. In the second half the Hawks of Holy Names would shoot 50% from the floor, led by Mya Paul who finished with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Freshman Forward Amanda Brecht would come off the bench to score 13 points.The Men's team suffered one of their worst losses of the season against Holy Names, finally losing by a score of 33-62. The Slugs shot only 29% from the field and 40% from the free-throw line. Eddie Frazier led Holy Names with 19 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds. Junior Forward Nic Echevestre would lead UCSC with 9 points and 4 rebounds.The Women's Basketball team record is now 3-13 and 2-3 in Cal Pac play. The Men's record currently stands at 0-5 in Conference play and 3-12 overall. Both teams play their next game this Tuesday at Dominican College in San Rafael.UCSC men fall big to Holy Names College - Santa Cruz Sentinel
1/14/02
Faria gets triple-double; Women's Basketball wins back-to-back Cal Pac games
SANTA CRUZ-- Senior Guard Brianne Faria recorded the first triple-double of her career in Women's Basketball's 76-46 win over CSU Monterey Bay Friday night.Faria had 18 points, 12 steals and 10 rebounds to go along with 5 assists on the night. Her 12 steals also sets a new Cal Pac Conference record. The Slugs forced the Otters of CSUMB into 44 turnovers and shooting just 35% from the field.The Slugs would get their second straight Cal Pac win against Notre Dame de Namur University Saturday night, defeating the Argonauts 69-59. Sophomore Guard Rachel Baudler led UCSC with 23 points on 8-of-12 shooting, to go along with 4 steals. Faria would again come up strong, scoring 14 points and going 8-of-10 from the free throw line.Renee Polheber would lead the Argonauts with 21 points.With these wins, the Women's Basketball team is now 3-11 on the season and 2-1 in Cal Pac Conference play. Briann Faria is ranked third in conference scoring with a 16 ppg average. The Slugs play their next game this Friday at the West Field House against Menlo College.UCSC women’s basketball team gets second-straight win - Santa Cruz Sentinel
1/6/02
Women's Basketball loses at Bethany College, 64-82
SCOTTS VALLEY, CA -- The Women's Basketball team lost its Conference opener at Bethany, 64-82 Saturday night.Senior Forward Brianne Faria lead the team with 16 points and 6 rebounds, shooting 6-of-13 from the floor.Bethany College's Paula Gonzales led the Bearcats with 25 points and 9 assists.The team's overall record now stands at 1-11 on the season. Their next game is at home next Friday against CSU Monterey Bay.Bethany women defeat UCSC, 82-64 - Santa Cruz Sentinel
12/31/01
Women's Basketball loses at Menlo Invitational; ends preseason at 1-10
ATHERTON, CA-- Sophomore Guard Rachel Baudler's three point attempt against Carroll College with time running down nearly lifted the Slugs to their second win of the season, but like a microcosm of the Women's Basketball season, would fall just short.Carroll College would defeat UCSC, 54-56 in the consolation game of the Menlo College Invitational on Sunday night. Junior Guard Mischa Plunkett would lead the Slugs with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Senior Forward Brianne Faria scored 7 points and collected 10 rebounds in the losing effort.Carroll College, a NAIA Division I program, was led by Guard Jennifer Curl's 15 points.The day before, the Slugs would lose to Midland College, 67-84. Both Baudler and Faria scored 19 points in that game.The Menlo Tournament represents the end of the team's non-conference schedule. Women's Basketball will open its Cal Pac Schedule on Friday at Bethany College in Scotts Valley. Game time is 5:30 pm.Slugs come close to victory at tournament - Santa Cruz Sentinel
12/13/01
Women's Basketball falls at Lewis & Clark
PORTLAND, OR-- The Women's Basketball team had a good effort against Lewis & Clark College, but ultimately fell short Wednesday night at the Pamlin Sports Center.Lewis & Clark's Lindsay Sweetland would lead the Pioneers, scoring 28 points and collecting 11 rebounds and 5 steals. Sweetland, a Sophomore Guard, would shoot 9-for-17 from the floor.Sophomore Guard Rachel Baudler would lead the Banana Slugs with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 5 steals, but would shoot just 3-for-19 from the field. Other strong efforts would be turned in by Senior Guard Brianne Faria, who had 10 points and 5 assists, and Junior Center Shane Fisher, who had 8 rebounds and 2 blocks.23 offensive rebounds would keep the Slugs in the game, but a poor shooting performance in the second half kept UCSC looking for its second win of the season. The Banana Slugs now stand at 1-6.UCSC's longest road trip of the season ends Saturday night at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon.
11/28/01
Women's Basketball takes San Bernadino to OT; falls short
SANTA CRUZ-- Sophomore Guard Rachel Baudler's three pointer with two seconds left in regulation would send the game into overtime, but in the end the Slugs would fall to CSU San Bernadino, 83-91 at the West Field Tuesday night.Baudler's three-pointer capped a late UCSC rally that tied the game after the Slugs trailed most of the second half. Baudler would lead the Slugs with 20 points and 5 rebounds on the night, going 4-of-8 from three point range. Sophomore Forward Shannarmar Dewey would add 18 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.Sharee Brown would lead San Bernadino with 20 points and 6 rebounds.The team is now 0-4 on the season. Their next game is at CSU Stanislaus Friday night in Turlock.
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11/16/01
UCSC's Brianna Faria had 20 points and 8 rebounds against Linfield College |
11/17/01
Women's Basketball opens season 0-2; Albertson College wins UCSC InvitationalSANTA CRUZ-- The Women's Basketball team opened its 2001-2002 season with a home tournament this Weekend, with colleges from Westmont, Albertson and Linfield participating.In its first game on Friday, UCSC lost to Linfield College, 66-44. Snior Guard Brianna Faria had 20 points and 8 rebounds for the Slugs, but the team suffered greatly from 34 turnovers and a shooting percentage of 26.7%. Shae Wright would lead Linfield with 12 points.In the consolation game, UCSC lost to Westmont College, 93-51. The team looked improved on offense, but was scorched on the defensive end by a Westmont team that shot 52.4% from the field. Sophomore Forward Rachel Baudler led the Slugs with 14 points and 3 steals.Later that evening, Albertson would defeat Linfield in the Chamionship game, 53-44.UCSC Women's Basketball Invitational All-Tournament Team
The team looks to get back on track next Saturday at Hope International.
10/4/01
UC Santa Cruz Athletics hires new Basketball Coaches
SANTA CRUZ-- UC Santa Cruz Athletics is pleased to announce the hiring of Bernard Thompson as Head Coach of Men's Basketball and Laura Mitchell as Head Coach of Women's Basketball.Coach Thompson is a former NBA first-round draft pick of the Portland Trailblazers, and has spent 17 years as a professional player, both in the U.S. and overseas. A graduate of Fresno State with a degree in Criminology, Thompson hopes to take UC Santa Cruz to its first postseason in school history."My philosophy has always been defense first, because that's how I was taught", Thompson says. "[I] know that if you're successful defensively, you'll put yourself in a position to win.""We'll be a lot of fun to watch." he adds.
Coach Mitchell begins her second stint as head coach of UCSC's Women's Basketball team, having coached the team from 1996 to 1999. A graduate of the University of Dallas with a degree in English and a focus in Journalism, Mitchell has also worked as a sports broadcaster for KNTU in Northern Texas. She's less than a year from completing her MBA in Sports Management from the University of Dallas. Mitchell will also serve as the Senior Women's Administrator."I'm extremely excited to be coming back [to the UCSC] community." Mitchell says. "I want to make being part of the team a great experience for the student-athletes who come here."UCSC hires basketball coaches - Santa Cruz Sentinel
7/14/01
Women's Basketball Coach Resigns
Coach Allison Slade has resigned as head coach of the Woman's Basketball Team. The Athletic Department will soon begin a comprehensive search to fill the vacancy. Interested parties should contact Athletic Director Greg Harshaw at (831) 459-4524 or by email at harshaw@cats.ucsc.edu
2/16/01
UCSC trounces Notre Dame on Seniors' Night
In their final game of the season, UCSC beat the College of Notre Dame, 52-44, Friday night at the West Field. In the last game of her career, senior and captain Lilia Flores had a tremendous all-around performance with 13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks in 38 minutes. Fellow senior and co-Captain Whitney Owens contributed 2 points and 5 rebounds. Junior Brianna Faria led all scorers with 19 points and 9 rebounds, going 7-of-14 from the field and 5-for-5 from the free throw line.Lupemma Smith led CND with 12 points.Flores ends her final season as the Slugs' 2000-2001 leader in scoring (10.5 ppg), assists (4.2 apg), free-throw percentage (73.1 percent) and steals (2.6 spg). She also finishes third on the team in rebounding (4.6).Media Articles
