Broncos prepare to rebound
By Cecile Nguyen
Despite owning an overall record of 11-4, the women's basketball team is 0-1 in conference play after a 74-71 loss to Saint Mary's snapped a seven-game win streak.
The Broncos will look to rebound from the loss when they take on Loyola Marymount Thursday in hopes of winning their first conference game of the season.
"It's going to be a very tough game," Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson said. "They (LMU) are even tougher when they're playing at home. They're definitely going to provide a lot of challenges for us, there's no question."
Six of the nine Lions victories this season have come on their home court, and LMU currently owns a 9-8 overall record and is 1-1 in conference play. The Lions beat Portland 73-71 before losing to Gonzaga 81-65 during last weekend's road trip.
"It's going to be a good all-around game," said guard Chandice Cronk. "We've been practicing how to play their quick guards and posts inside who rebound like crazy."
Bento-Jackson said one of the Lions' strengths is their balanced offensive attack.
"They have good perimeter play, both in outside shooting and attacking the basket," Bento-Jackson said. "They are fairly deep with their inside post players and are a good offensive rebounding team," she added.
LMU point guard Amanda DeCoud leads the Lions in points and is expected to remain an offensive force for the squad. The senior also currently leads the WCC in steals this season with 44.
"She (DeCoud) is a very aggressive, offensive player," Bento-Jackson said. "She attacks the basket and is very good off the dribble."
Santa Clara will be looking at forward Jen Gottschalk to continue her dominant play. Gottschalk led all players with 30 points and 12 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season in the Broncos' previous match-up against Saint Mary's.
"Jen has been playing absolutely amazing," said Cronk, who is No. 2 in the conference in three-point field goals. "Jen's going to be tough to guard."
Santa Clara will be looking to improve their transitional and half-court defense against LMU -- something Bento-Jackson said the team had trouble with versus St. Mary's.
"LMU is typically a physical and intense basketball team. That's to be expected," said Bento-Jackson. "We have to bring the same type of energy and intensity."
Cronk agreed, as she believes that both the Broncos and Lions match up well with one another.
"Across the board, I think the two teams match up very well," Bento-Jackson said. "We expect it to be a battle for 40 minutes."
Currently, the Broncos are No. 1 in the WCC in field goal shooting and defense.
Contact Cecile Nguyen at (408) 551-1918 or cnguyen5@scu.edu.