SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference is among the top conferences in several statistical categories as we begin the final two weeks of non-conference play.
The conference is sixth in assists per game (14.3) and seventh in total points (7,438), three-point field goals (730), steals (407) and blocks per game (3.63). Below is a list of 14 different categories where the West Coast Conference ranks in the top-10 among conferences nationally.
| Category |
Rank |
Number |
| Assists Per Game |
6th |
14.3 |
| Blocks Per Game |
7th |
3.63 |
| 3-PT Field Goals Made |
7th |
730 |
| Steals |
7th |
407 |
| Scoring |
7th |
7,438 |
| Field Goals Made |
8th |
2,734 |
| Field Goal % |
8th |
41.6% |
| Total Rebounds |
8th |
4,273 |
| Defensive Rebounds |
8th |
2,909 |
| Assists |
8th |
1,605 |
| Steals |
8th |
930 |
| FGs Made Per Game |
9th |
24.4 |
| Offensive Rebounds |
9th |
1,364 |
| Assist/Turnover Ratio |
10th |
0.79 |
PEPPERDINE IS OFF TO ITS BEST START IN NEARLY TWO DECADES
Pepperdine is off to its best start in 19 years after a pair of double-digit wins last week. The Waves are 6-2 following a 69-58 win over California Baptist at home last Wednesday and a 20-point win (65-45) at Fresno State on Saturday. Pepperdine’s six wins in its first eight games matches its best start since the 2006-07 season. The Waves, who are averaging 42.4 rebounds per game as a team, have either tied or out-rebounded their opponent in seven of eight games this season. Pepperdine ranks 12th nationally in defensive rebounds per game (30.8). Freshman Seleh Harmon is shooting .478 from three-point range, good for 24th-best nationally.
HISTORIC WIN FOR BRONCOS
Santa Clara, winners of five of its last six, defeated Simpson, 125-43, on Saturday. The Broncos set a program record for points in a game and margin of victory in the contest. It is the second-most points ever scored by a West Coast Conference team, five shy of the conference record of 130 set by LMU against Master’s College on Nov. 23, 1990.
SANTA CLARA AMONG THE NATION’S BEST IN REBOUNDS, BLOCKS AND ASSISTS
Santa Clara is second in the nation in total rebounds (510), fourth in offensive rebounds (176) and sixth in defensive rebounds (334). The Broncos are 11th in rebounds per game, averaging 46.4 per contest.
Santa Clara also ranks fourth in the nation in total blocks (73) and eighth in blocks per game (6.64).
Santa Clara’s 191 assists rank 17th nationally.
PRESTON PRODUCING ON BOTH ENDS FOR WAVES
Pepperdine, which did not return anyone from last season, is seeing immediate impacts from several newcomers. Junior forward Shorna Preston, a transfer from Dodge City Community College in Kansas, is playing a prominent role on both ends of the floor for the Waves. She leads the West Coast Conference in rebounding at 9.1 rpg and is fourth in blocks at 1.8 bpg. Preston earned West Coast Conference Player of the Week honors on Monday after posting a pair of double doubles in two wins last week. She finished with 21 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in the win over CBU, and 16 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks in the victory at Fresno State.
FRESHMAN PHENOM LAUREN WHITTAKER
Gonzaga freshman Lauren Whittaker leads the West Coast Conference in scoring at 19.5 points per game. Her scoring average is second nationally among freshmen. Whittaker also leads the conference in field goal percentage (.574) and field goals made (70), and ranks second in rebounding at 8.3 rpg. The freshman forward has increased her production during the Zags’ current three-game winning streak, averaging 22.0 points and 10.3 rebounds in victories over Marquette, Grand Canyon and UC Davis.
PACIFIC CONVERTING AT THE LINE
Pacific ranks 18th nationally with a conference-best .792 free throw percentage. The Tigers have made 103 of their 130 free throw attempts this season. On Sunday at San Diego State, Pacific finished 12-of-13 from the line. Senior Sydney Ward is 30-of-35 (.857) from the free throw line this season.
DALAN LEADS THE NATION IN BLOCKS
Portland freshman Julia Dalan continues to lead the nation in blocks per game, averaging 3.56 per contest. As a team, Portland is averaging 6.44 blocks per game, which ranks 12th nationally. The Pilots posted seven blocks against BYU last week.
SHULER SHARING
Oregon State’s Kennedie Shuler leads the conference and ranks 25th nationally in assists per game at 5.6 apg. In her second year as a regular starter for the Beavers, Shuler is averaging nearly two more assists per game than she did a season ago.
WILLIAMS AND OWENS MAKING INSTANT IMPACTS FOR SAN DIEGO
Freshmen Ayla Williams and Olivia Owens are making immediate impacts for San Diego. Williams was named the West Coast Conference Freshman of the Week on Monday after posting a pair of double-doubles against Binghamton and Utah State last week, including 34 total rebounds in the two games. She recorded 16 boards against Binghamton and then a career-best 18 in the win over Utah State. Owens is averaging 9.9 points per game for the Toreros, highlighted by a career-high 25-point performance in the win over Utah State. As a team, USD ranks 13th nationally in