Women's basketball looks to defend title

By Joe Doss-Antoun

This week the women's basketball team has begun their quest to repeat as champions of the West Coast Conference, and, like last year, they will rely on their high-powered offense to lead the way.

After 15 non-conference games this season, the Broncos rank second among WCC teams in total scoring, third in field goal percentage, and first in 3-point field goal percentage.

"We like to play it up-tempo and put pressure on the defense from an offensive standpoint," said head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson.

While Santa Clara led the conference in most shooting categories a year ago, the highly competitive WCC will keep the Broncos pushing for more.

"Our conference has tremendous talent, so we're going to have to bring our 'A' game every night," said Bento-Jackson.

While no WCC team finished their non-conference schedule with a winning record last season, when combined, the entire conference totals a 62-55 non-conference record this season, including four teams with a winning record.

"I feel like we can beat every team in the conference and that we can get beat by every team in the conference," said Bento-Jackson.

Leading the way thus far for the Broncos has been a pair of sharp-shooters in junior guard Chandice Cronk and senior guard Ashley Graham.

Both Cronk and Graham are among the leading scorers in the WCC. Much of that has to do with their incredible ability to make shots from behind the arch.

"We're a shooting team," said Graham. "That's not a secret."

Currently, Cronk leads the WCC in points per game, while her eight 3-pointers against St. Mary's on Jan. 7 in the WCC opener gave her 64 on the season, which leads the nation.

Additionally, Graham, who ranks second in the WCC for total 3-point field goals made, has helped guide Santa Clara to key victories early in their season. In the final week of non-conference play, Graham averaged 16.5 points, 5.5 assists, and shot 11 of 17 from behind the arc in wins over Toledo and San Jose State. Graham's efforts earned her WCC Co-Player of the Week, an honor she shared with Jontelle Smith of St. Mary's.

While the combination of Cronk and Graham is frustrating enough for opposing defenses, the Broncos have many more weapons that they will rely on this season.

"One of the best things about our team is that anyone can step up and score," said Graham.

Some other leading contributors include senior guard Ashley Gonnerman, junior guard Tracey Walker and junior forward Jen Gottschalk.

In Sunday's WCC opener, Gottschalk came on strong with a 27-point, nine-rebound effort. In addition, Walker scored 11 points, while Gonnerman added nine.

The Broncos hope to use the momentum of their three-game win streak to propel them into conference play. As the defending champions, they will have a target on their collective jerseys throughout the duration of WCC play. And as everybody knows, winning two conference championships in a row is quite a difficult task.

Regardless, the Broncos continue taking aim at that goal this weekend, when conference play picks up again.

Contact Joe Doss-Antoun at (408) 551-1918 or jdossantoun@scu.edu