Feb. 10, 2006

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Loyola Marymount (14-8, 8-1) at Pepperdine (8-14, 5-4)
Location: Los Angeles, Calif. - Gersten Pavilion
Time: 5:00 PM (PST)
Television: CSTV

Preview:Pepperdine heads across town to face the conference-leading LMU Lions at Gersten Pavilion on Saturday. The Lions sit atop the conference standings with an 8-1 mark in WCC play, while Pepperdine is currently tied with Saint Mary's for fourth place with a 5-4 record. LMU has won three straight games, including a 50-48 victory over the Waves in Malibu on January 28, while Pepperdine is coming off of a successful weekend in which it posted conference wins over San Diego and San Francisco at home. The Lions are led by one of the WCC's top newcomers in forward Ashlee Dunlap, who leads the league with 9.8 rpg and is averaging a team-high 10.4 ppg. Six different Lions are averaging at least 7.0 ppg, including Amanda Patton who ranks 13th in the league with 10.3 ppg. Sophomore Daphanie Kennedy has carried the scoring load for Pepperdine, averaging a team-high 12.1 ppg to rank seventh in the conference. Junior Jasmane Clarendon leads the Waves with 6.9 rpg and has pitched in with 11.2 ppg, while freshman Sherriel Boyd has been effective off the bench, averaging 8.9 ppg. Pepperdine leads the all-time series with LMU by a 29-12 margin, but has won just one of the last five meetings between the two programs.

LMU Players To Watch: Ashlee Dunlap - 10.4 ppg, 9.8 rpg; Amanda Patton - 10.3, 2.31 3-pointers per game

Pepperdine Players To Watch: Daphanie Kennedy - 12.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg; Jasmane Clarendon - 11.2 ppg, 6.9 rpg

MEN'S BASKETBALL

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Santa Clara (9-12, 2-7) at Saint Mary's (10-11, 3-6)
Location: Moraga, Calif. - McKeon Pavilion
Time: 7:00 PM (PST)
Television: FSN Bay Area

Preview: The Santa Clara and Saint Mary's will be playing for more than Bay Area bragging rights this weekend when the Broncos travel to Moraga to take on the Gaels. Both teams are looking to build momentum heading into the conference tournament. With the WCC Tourney just a few weeks away, first round byes (given to the top four seeds) are still within reach for the Broncos and the Gaels, and a win on Saturday is crucial. The Gaels have shown that they can play with or beat some of the best teams in the nation. The Gaels are coming off of a heartbreaking 62-61 loss at Gonzaga, and own an 89-80 win over then-No. 20 Nevada. Santa Clara snapped a seven-game losing skid with a convincing 80-56 win at Portland. This one should be a defensive battle as the Gaels and the Broncos rank 1-2 in the WCC in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense.

Santa Clara's Key Players: Travis Niesen - 18.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg; Mitch Henke - 10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Saint Mary's Key Players: Daniel Kickert - 17.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg; Brett Collins - 10.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg