Nov. 27, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Upcoming Schedule
Ayres Hotel Thanksgiving Classic - Gersten Pavilion
Friday, November 28
LMU (3-1) vs. Idaho State (2-3) 2:00 p.m.
Georgetown (4-0) vs. N. Dakota St. (1-2) 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 29
Consolation Game 1:00 p.m.
Championship Game 3:00 p.m.
Live audio for all LMU games is available with Angie Kiel and Patrick Duggan through Stretch Internet on Lions All-Access at LMULions.com. Gametracker will be available for all four tournament contests at LMULions.com
BRIEFLY
While students pack up and head home for the holidays, basketball fans will once again flock to Gersten Pavilion as LMU will play host to the Ayres Hotel Thanksgiving Classic this Friday and Saturday. Now in its 12th season, this year's tournament features the host Lions, Georgetown, Idaho State, and North Dakota State. The tournament tips off on Friday with LMU versus Idaho State at 2 p.m., followed by Georgetown vs. North Dakota State. The two Friday losing teams will play in the Consolation Game at 1 p.m. on Saturday while the victors will battle it out for the tournament title in the Championship Game at 3 p.m.
LISTEN TO AND FOLLOW THE LIONS LIVE ON THE WEB
Loyola Marymount University, in conjunction with Stretch Internet, is proud to present FREE live audio broadcasts over the World Wide Web on www.LMULions.com. Join Angie Kiel all season long for every Lion game, home and away, in 2008-09. Angie will be joined on select home broadcasts by Patrick Duggan and Will Callanen. Just click on the "Listen" or "Archive" link next to the game of your choice. All broadcasts will be archived within 72 hours of their original airing and will include both the pre-game and post-game shows.
All home games and select away games will be available live on Gametracker through the LMU website. Check www.LMULions.com for all Gametracker live stats information.
MEDIA GUIDE
The 2008-09 LMU women's basketball media guide is now available to download at www.LMULions.com. Copies are also available through the LMU Media Relations Office for $10 per guide.
COMING TO A GAME?
If you are planning to attend a game at LMU this season, then be sure to reserve your tickets today by ordering online at www.LMULions.com or calling the LMU Ticket Office at (310) 338-LION. The Loyola Marymount University campus is located in Westchester at 1 LMU Drive, approximately four miles north of the Los Angeles International Airport. Visitors must use the main entrance off of Lincoln Blvd. on LMU Drive. Parking for Gersten Pavilion will be in General Parking Lot A.
ABOUT THE LMU AYRES HOTEL THANKSGIVING CLASSIC
This is the 12th year that LMU has hosted the Thanksgiving Classic at Gersten Pavilion. The event has brought in teams from all over the country, including North Carolina, Kansas, Oklahoma and North Carolina State. Eight different teams have walked away champions of the tournament, including LMU on four separate occasions. The Classic has also seen great individual performances as seven players have scored 25 points or more in a game and 10 players have grabbed 13 rebounds or more. LMU is the defending champion, having defeated Indiana State 74-51 in last season's championship game. Past winners include UNC, Kansas, UCLA, and Texas A&M.
ABOUT THE IDAHO STATE BENGALS (2-2)
Coached by Seton Sobolewski in his first year with Idaho State, the Bengals went 20-10 last year and 12-4 in the Big Sky, making the Women's NIT. They return three starters and seven letterwinners. ISU started off the season at the New Mexico Tournament, dropping the first two games of the tournament to DePaul, 73-55, and New Mexico, 82-47. Idaho State bounced back in their third game to beat Alcorn State 67-50 and continued their long opening season road trip at Utah State where they won 58-43. ISU plays its first seven games on the road, culminating with the visit to Gersten for the Ayres Hotel Thanksgiving Tournament. ISU traveled to Southern Utah on Tuesday, falling 75-61 despite putting three players in double figures. Oana Iacovita leads the Bengals in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.6 ppg and 7.6 rpg.
LMU and Idaho State have met three times previously, with the Bengals winning the first two. The Lions won the last meeting, 62-61 at Gersten on December 7, 1996. ISU is 0-1 versus Georgetown and 1-1 against North Dakota State.
ABOUT THE GEORGETOWN HOYAS (4-0)
Georgetown is coached by Terri Williams-Flournoy, who is now in her fifth season. She has compiled a 52-63 record at Georgetown, including leading them to their first winning season (15-14) since 2002-03 last year. The Hoyas return three starters and eight letterwinners.
GU is off to an impressive start, winning its first four games of the year. The Hoyas went on the road to beat Jacksonville State 74-63 and then blow out Brown, 83-42. Both wins were truly team efforts as no one on Georgetown played more than 28 minutes in either game or averaged double figures through two games. The Hoyas returned home for two games last week, defeating Central Michigan 82-77 in their first home game of the year on Nov. 22 and then routing Hampton University 82-55 on Tuesday behind 21 points from Monica McNutt. Adria Crawford leads GU in scoring at 11.0 ppg., following by Latia Magee at 10.5. Crawford also pulls down a team-high 7.3 rpg.
Georgetown and LMU met for the first time last season, with the Hoyas winning 75-49 in Washington, D.C. The Hoyas are 0-1 against North Dakota State and 1-0 against Idaho State.
ABOUT THE NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON (1-2)
Carolyn DeHoff is another first-year head coach, having replaced Women's Basketball Hall of Fame coach Amy Ruley this season. Ruley coached the Bison to five Division II national championships. NDSU went 17-11 overall last year and 12-6 in the Summit League. Only one starter and six letterwinners return for this season. The Bison started off the season with two close losses to Northern Iowa (77-73) and Minnesota (68-56). They earned their first win of the year against Valley City State, 78-49 last Friday. The Bison are led on offense Abby Plucker, who averages 15.3 ppg. Plucker and Jerri Penley lead the Bison on the boards as both average 6.3 rpg.
North Dakota State and LMU have never played each other. The Bison are 1-0 vs. Georgetown and 1-1 vs. Idaho State.
LMU IN THE AYRES HOTEL THANKSGIVING CLASSIC
The Lions have been crowned champions of their home Thanksgiving Tournament four times, including winning three years in a row in 2001, 2002, and 2003. LMU claimed its fourth title last year, defeating Indiana State 74-51 behind tournament Most Valuable Player Amanda DeCoud. LMU is 14-8 overall in its tournament and 10-4 since the 2001-02 season. The Lions have been either champions or runners-up in eight of the first 11 Classics.
LAST WEEK RECAP: FIREWORKS IN HOME OPENER
After opening the 2008-09 season in Hawai'i, LMU returned to Gersten Pavilion on Monday for its home opener against Long Beach State. The Lions used a 16-0 run in the first half to turn a 17-15 lead into a 33-15 advantage. The lead would grow to as many as 26 in the first half before the 49ers chipped away, cutting it to seven in the second half. LMU turned up the defense, however, limiting LBSU to eight points over the final 7:38 and converting from the line for the 83-63 win. Freshman Alex Cowling came off the bench for her first career double-double, recording career-highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end. Junior Lisa Helmers also had a career night, leading the Lions with 23 points and five assists. Senior Cassady Moore scored in double figures for the fourth straight game with 12 points and sophomore Aleyse Evans led all rebounders with 13. LMU's major advantage came in points off turnovers, forcing 21 LBSU miscues and converting that into 30 points.
QUICK OUT OF THE GATE
Don't worry about the hype overwhelming sophomore guard Renahy Young. After being named to the WCC All-Freshman and Honorable Mention teams in 2007-08 and to this year's Preseason All-Conference squad, Young went out and earned Bank of Hawai'i Invitational All-Tournament honors on the season's opening weekend. Young had a quiet 10 points in the opening win over Hawai'i but exploded for a career-high 31 points in Saturday's triple-overtime loss to Arizona. Young was solid all game, scoring 13 points in the first half and forcing overtime with a driving jumper with three seconds left in regulation. She tried to carry the Lions in the third overtime, scoring all nine of the team's points. Young did it all from all over the court, shooting 10-for-21 overall, knocking down two three-pointers, and going 9-for-12 from the line to become the first LMU player to break the 30-point plateau since Bryn Britton in 2001. Free throws continued to be the theme for Young on Sunday. On a day when she was outright horrible (1-for-16) from the floor, Young showed her greatness by continually driving to the hoop and drawing fouls, setting a new LMU single-game record with 15 free throws made (on 19 attempts). By virtue of her play in Hilo, Young was named to the Bank of Hawai'i Invitational All-Tournament Team. Through the season's first four games, Young is leading the Lions in scoring at 16.3 ppg.
DEFENSIVE STOPPER SHOWS OFFENSIVE SIDE
For the last three seasons, Cassady Moore has been one-half of a prolific defensive tandem, joining up with Amanda DeCoud to wreak havoc in the backcourt. Now that DeCoud has graduated as the school's #2 all-time thief, it is time for Moore to take the spotlight in her senior season. With 121 career steals, Moore is on pace to finish among the LMU top-10, needing just 26 steals to enter the ranks. Offensively, Moore started last season with a bang and is the only Lion to score in double figures in every game so far, recording consistent outings of 14, 11, 12, and 12 points, respectively. She was named to the Bank of Hawai'i Invitational All-Tournament Team after averaging 12.3 points and 4.0 rebounds in the three games.
TOUGHNESS IN THE POST
With the graduation of Valerie Ogoke, all eyes will be on sophomore Aleyse Evans as the Lions' newest defensive and rebounding force. Evans finished among the WCC leaders in rebounds and blocks per game last season despite seeing limited action over the last six games due to a foot injury. Another year older, healthier, and stronger, Evans has worked to improve her game on offense as well as defense. She showed that in the opener vs. Hawai'i, making her first four shots en route to a game-high and new career-high 15 points. She then recorded her first career double-double against Toledo, going 7-for-9 from the floor for 14 points and equaling her career-best with 15 boards. Through four games, Evans is leading the team with 9.8 rebounds per game and is second at 54.5% from the floor. She is among the WCC leaders in points per game, total rebounds per game, field goal percentage, steals, blocked shots, offensive rebounds per game, and defensive rebounds per game.
HELMERS TAKES THE HELM
On a team with 11 underclassmen, it is up to the juniors and seniors to take the lead. Junior Lisa Helmers has adopted that mantle and has been named a team captain for 2008-09. LMU's best long-range threat in 2007-08, Helmers hit 59 three-pointers, the fourth-most in a single season at LMU and scored in double figures 10 times. She was also the only player to be named to the all-tournament teams at both of LMU's home tournaments, averaging 12.7 ppg while sinking 14 triples in the four games. This year, she could not have had a better exhibition game, connecting on what would have been a school-record eight three-points for a game-high 24 points, which would have topped her career-high of 16 had the game counted. After going 5-for-26 and averaging 5.0 ppg in Hawai'i, she broke out of her shooting slump with a career-high 23 points on 7-for-14 shooting in the home opener against Long Beach State.
SYBESMA HOBBLED
LMU suffered a big blow to its frontcourt during preseason practice when senior Jenna Sybesma went down with a knee injury. Sybesma underwent surgery on November 11 and is working to get back to the court as soon as she can. The Lions will miss her offense down low, as Sybesma reached double figures in each of the final nine contests on 2007-08 to finish the year third on the team at 10.0 ppg while shooting 49% from the floor.
GOSS GETS ROLLING
Shooters are known to get on hot streaks and junior Kavita Goss certainly found her rhythm against Arizona. After connecting on three three-pointers in the win over Hawai'i, Goss went off against the Wildcats with six triples. Goss made the final seconds of the first overtime and all of the second her own, as her three-pointer with six seconds left forced the second overtime and she hit three more in the second extra frame to score all 10 of LMU's points. She finished with a career-high 21 points and is averaged 11.3 ppg through the season's opening weekend.
JESS IS BACK
Although Evans' injury was a factor in LMU's limp towards the finish, it was the torn ACL suffered by Jessica Vargas on December 5 that had a larger impact on the direction of LMU's season. At the time of her injury, Vargas was averaging 8.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 51.8% from the floor. Vargas' injury could be a blessing in disguise for LMU as she was granted a medical redshirt and is still just a sophomore, although she adds another upperclassman presence. She has come off the bench in the season's first three games, averaging 2.7 ppg and 2.3 rpg.
POSTS PLAY BIG
Two players who made immediate impacts in Hawai'i were sophomores Melanie Ysaguirre and Maggie Burkett. Ysaguirre has started all three games and is second on the team in rebounding at 7.0 per game. She had a game-high eight rebounds in the season opener, then went for four points and five boards despite playing 11 minutes due to foul trouble against Arizona. In the tournament finale, she had four points and seven boards, including four on the offensive end. Against Long Beach State, she went for a solid six points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks, the latter two of which were new career highs.
Burkett has become one of LMU's top players off the bench after seeing limited time last season. Burkett played a total of 51 minutes in 2007-08 but nearly topped that in one game, logging a team-high 43 minutes against Arizona. Due to foul trouble for Evans and Ysaguirre, Burkett was forced to be the dominant player in the post and she responded, pulling down a career-high nine boards.
FRESHMEN EFFECTIVE IN DEBUTS
Adding to LMU's deep bench are freshmen Alex Cowling and Mikah Maly-Karros. The duo both had typical rookie weekends with some ups and some downs but overall the Lions are happy with their performances. Cowling made the most of her debut, registering eight points and six boards against Hawai'i but then was hit with three quick fouls and saw just eight minutes of action against Arizona. She bounced back against Toledo, going 4-for-5 from the floor and hitting three big baskets down the stretch to finish with nine points and four rebounds in 13 minutes. Against Long Beach State, Cowling showed that she can be a game-changer, going for career-highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds (seven offensive) for her first career double-double.
Maly-Karros should have her picture listed under the term "coming out of nowhere." The freshman played a total of three minutes in the weekend's first two games but then exploded against Toledo. With LMU trailing by 18 within the first six minutes, Maly-Karros provided the spark her team needed by making her first four shots and hustling to grab and offensive rebound and lay it in to complete the Lions' comeback and give them their first lead. Her determination and hustle kept the Lions going as she recorded her first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, including seven on the offensive glass.
LIONS PICKED SECOND IN WCC PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Coming off a fourth-place finish in 2007-08, LMU has been picked to finish second in the WCC in 2008-09, according to the preseason coaches poll. The Lions return eight letterwinners and 12 players overall on a roster that features 11 freshmen and sophomores. Regular season champions Gonzaga were the top vote-getters with 49 points and seven first place votes. LMU received 40 total votes and one first-place vote. The complete poll is on page seven of this release.
WAS LMU THE CHAMPION IN HAWAI'I? TECHNICALLY... NO
LMU went 2-1 at the Bank of Hawai'i Invitational, posting the same record as both Arizona and Toledo. So why don't the Lions have a trophy in their cabinet? With three teams tied for first place, the first tie-breaker used in the tournament was head-to-head result. Well, LMU defeated Toledo and Toledo defeated Arizona but Arizona defeated LMU, leaving all three teams still tied. The second tiebreaker used was fewest points allowed, as the tournament organizers wanted to reward defense. That meant that the Lions, who allowed 214 points in the three games, were relegated to third. Toledo (205 points allowed) garnered the runners-up trophy while Arizona (202 points allowed) walked away with the championship. In an ironic twist, Hawai'i, who went 0-3 on the weekend, allowed the fewest points of any team, giving up a mere 192 points in its three games.
YOUNG, MOORE NAMED BANK OF HAWAI'I ALL-TOURNAMENT
Sophomore Renahy Young and senior Cassady Moore got the season off to an award-winning start as both were named to the Bank of Hawai'i Invitational All-Tournament Team. Young averaged 19.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds per game and hit her career-high with 31 points in the loss to Arizona. Young and Moore were the only Lions to score in double figures in all three games as Moore went for 14, 11, and 12 points, respectively.
OVERTIME MADNESS
In the last two years, LMU has taken the opinion that if you're going to play overtime, why settle with just one extra period? LMU played one overtime game in 2007-08 but that one, against Cal State Bakersfield, went into double overtime and finished with a 95-90 Lion win. This year, the Lions decided to top that, playing the first triple-overtime game in school history. Unfortunately, three was not the magic number for LMU against Arizona, as the Wildcats won 93-88.
THREE-POINT ATTACK
With explosive shooters like juniors Lisa Helmers and Kavita Goss and sophomore Renahy Young on the court, it is quite possible that the Lions will set some three-point shooting records this year. Already Helmers and Goss have been peppering the single-game record of seven made threes, with Helmers going for eight in the exhibition game and Goss knocking down six against Arizona. As a team, the Lions hit 11 against the Wildcats, falling one shy of the school-record of 12, set at UC Riverside on December 5, 2003.
