ROHNERT PARK -- With five games already under its belt, including four contests against the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) foes, the Sonoma State women's basketball team will step outside of conference play for the next month, starting with a trip to Chico this weekend for the Coslet Classic CCAA/GNAC Challenge, where two of the region's top opponents will be waiting. The Seawolves will go to battle with Seattle Pacific on Friday before matching up with the No. 6 team in the country, Western Washington, on Saturday. Tip off from Acker Gymnasium on the campus of Chico State is set for 5:30 p.m. both nights.
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Friday, Dec. 7 |
vs Seattle Pacific (at Chico, CA) |
5:30 pm |
Live Stats |
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Saturday, Dec. 8 |
vs #6 Western Washington (at Chico, CA) |
5:30 pm |
Live Stats |
WEEKEND RECAP: Sonoma State did not look like themselves on Friday night against Cal State Monterey Bay, shooting a mere 36 percent from the field and just 2-of-9 from beyond the arc in a 78-45 loss to the Otters.
Bronte Sheahan led the Seawolves in scoring with 17 points, while Nikki Beckman had 19 for the Otters. However, the Seawolves looked refined during Saturday's game against Cal State East Bay, shooting almost 50 percent from the field and hitting 15-of-16 free-throws in the 63-50 victory over the Pioneers.
Taylor Vigil was the top scorer for Sonoma State with 12 points, followed closely by
Travis Newman, who chipped in 11. For the Pioneers, Marlene MacMillan and Lauren Lucchesi each tallied 12 points.
SCOUTING SEATTLE PACIFIC: The Falcons have started strong this season, sporting a 5-1 overall record with a pair of wins in their only two conference games of the year so far. Seattle Pacific's only loss of the young 2012-13 campaign came against CCAA-powerhouse UC San Diego. Since the loss to UCSD, the Falcons have won three in a row, including two against their own conference opponents. Seattle Pacific beat Sonoma State, 83-65, in the CCAA/GNAC Challenge last year and currently holds a 10-3 lead in the all-time series after winning the last six meetings between the two squads. Junior forward Katie Benson leads the Falcons averaging 14.3 points per game. Suzanna Ohlsen (13.0 ppg), Rachael Murray (11.0 ppg) and Betsy Kingma (10.0 ppg) represent the other Falcons with double-digit scoring averages. Ohlsen also leads the team with 13 steals.
SCOUNTING WESTERN WASHINGTON: Ranked at No. 6 in this week's USA Today/NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, the Vikings have begun the season with an unblemished 6-0 record, but have yet to play a game away from their home arena in Bellingham, Wash. In all six of its wins this season, Western Washington has beaten opponents by an average of 21 points. After taking down Sonoma State (70-53) in last year's CCAA/GNAC Crossover in Seattle, the Vikings have won the last four meetings between SSU and WWU and lead the all-time series, 14-1. Senior center Britt Harris leads the Vikings in scoring, averaging 14.5 points per game. Trishi Williams is the other Viking with a double-digit scoring average, posting 11.7 points per contest.
HOLIDAY BREAK: After this weekend's CCAA/GNAC Challenge, the Seawolves will play just one more game before going on their annual holiday hiatus. After hosting Dominican on Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m. in The Wolves' Den, Sonoma State will take a 15-day break from competition. It's next game after Dec. 19 won't take place until after the New Year when SSU returns to CCAA competition, starting with a game at Chico State on Jan. 4.
SEAWOLVES' NOTES: Taylor Vigil has taken over the senior leadership position as she leads the Seawolves in points per game (10.8) and rebounds (29).
