Dec. 9, 2003
San Diego boasts the league's assist leader in sophomore Polly Dong (5.7apg), leading rebounder in senior Melissa Padgett (8.3rpg) and the WCC's third leading scorer senior Marta Menuez (16.5ppg). Despite their efforts San Diego is looking to snap a four-game losing streak when the Toreros play cross-town rivals San Diego State Wednesday at 7pm at SDSU's Cox Arena. USD began the season by losing big to then-18th ranked UC Santa Barbara then countered by blowing out Nevada at home. Over the past two weeks the Toreros have played four closely contested games without coming away with a win. USD was victimized by a pair of second half comebacks over the weekend. Both New Mexico State and Long Beach State staged late rallies to defeat the Toreros at USD's Jenny Craig Pavilion. New Mexico State took USD into double overtime before winning 79-75. Long Beach State overcame a 14-point second half deficit to enjoy their bus ride home.
San Diego's Senior Leadership: Menuez and Padgett Two-time WCC Coach of the Year Kathy Marpe fields a team led by two outstanding seniors in 6-1 forward Melissa Padgett (Reno, NV) and 6-1 center Marta Menuez (Bodega, CA).
Marta Menuez scores a team-high 16.5 points each night and needs just 12 to reach 900 for her career. Menuez continues to establish herself as one of the best post players on the West Coast- equaling a career-high with a 26-point performance against New Mexico State last Thursday. She then put up 18 points on 10-of-15 shooting while grabbing eight rebounds against Long Beach State on Saturday. Menuez is the WCC's third leading scorer (16.5ppg), ranks second in field goal percentage (58%) and first in offensive rebounding (20).
Melissa Padgett is having a stellar senior season. She has emerged as San Diego's leading rebounder, clearing 8.3 boards per game. Her rebounding numbers are tops in the West Coast Conference and ranks among the league leaders in blocked shots (1.17bpg). Padgett pulled down 14-rebounds, setting a career-high, against New Mexico State last week. She turned in a double-digit performance two days later against Long Beach State, scoring 16 and rebounding 10. Twice this season Padgett has scored 16 points.
This Week's Opponents
The San Diego women play cross-town rival San Diego State Wednesday night at 7pm before travelling to L.A. for a Saturday afternoon date with PAC-10 member USC, scheduled for 4pm at the L.A. Sports Arena.
San Diego State (3-2)... The Aztecs were blown out 72-53 by USD in the Jenny Craig Pavilion last season, and look to avenge that loss when the city rivals square off at 7pm Wednesday night at SDSU's Cox Arena. Historically San Diego State has dominated the series between the two local schools, owning a 24-2 all-time advantage. The USD women have never played at Cox Arena (12,414), opened in the fall of 1997. SDSU is 3-2, having defeated UC Irvine 51-40, Cal State Fullerton 73-50 and Nevada 67-52. The Aztecs lost at home to West Coast Conference member St. Mary's 52-47 in its season opener and most recently lost at Cal State Northridge 71-52 this past Saturday. Head coach Jim Tomey is in his second season at SDSU, compiling a 9-18 record in 2002-03. Tomey is receiving double digit scoring numbers from 5-11 freshman guard Michelle Elliott (15.0ppg/3.2rpg) and sophomore forward Ashlee Dunlap (14.0ppg/8.8rpg). Dunlap is the team leader in rebounds while Elliott is the Aztec leader in field goal percentage at .500.
USC (1-3)... The Women of Troy represent San Diego's lone match-up against a PAC-10 opponent this season. Southern California nearly upset No. 1 Connecticut this past Sunday, losing 72-69 in its home opener. USC has a week to prepare for Saturday's 4pm tip with the Toreros, the second of four consecutive games USC plays at the LA Sports Arena. Senior forward Ebony Hoffman (16.0ppg/6.0rpg) was an All-PAC-10 First Team Player in 2003 and was named a WBCA Region 8 All-American. Hoffman scored 15 in USC's three-point loss to UCONN, a game the Women of Troy led 38-33 at halftime. Hoffman leads the team with six treys and 12 steals, while shooting 41% from the field. USC is under the direction of head coach Chris Gobrecht, who is 78-95 over seven seasons at USC, which includes a 14-17 record and 5th place PAC-10 finish a year ago. Gobrecht is also armed with 5-10 senior guard Rometra Craig (12.0ppg/2.0rpg) and freshman forward Eshaya Murphy (7.8ppg/3.3rpg).
