TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Friday, Nov. 9

Academy of Art 86, Humboldt State 65 Pioneer Gym | Hayward 5 p.m. Box score

Dominican 36, Cal State East Bay 58 Pioneer Gym | Hayward 7 p.m. Box score

Saturday, Nov. 10

Dominican vs. Humboldt State Pioneer Gym | Hayward 3 p.m. Live stats

Academy of Art vs. Cal State East Bay Pioneer Gym | Hayward 5 p.m. Live stats

HAYWARD, Calif. – The Cal State East Bay women's basketball team will host the California Collegiate Athletic Association/Pacific West Conference  Women's Basketball Challenge on Friday-Saturday, November 9-10. On Friday, Academy of Art will play Humboldt State at 5:00 p.m. followed by the Cal State East Bay-Dominican University game at 7:00 p.m. On Saturday, Dominican University will take on Humboldt State at 3:00 p.m. followed by the Cal State East Bay-Academy of Art contest at 5:00 p.m. to conclude the tournament.  This is the 3rd year of the PacWest/CCAA Challenge.   Humboldt has posted a 2-0 record each year.  Dominican was 1-1 in the first year and 0-2 last season.  Academy of Art was 1-1 in both years.  East Bay was 0-2 in the first tournament and 1-1 last year.

Following an appearance in the CCAA Women's Basketball Championships in its first year of eligibility, the 2012-13 Pioneer women's basketball team will have their sights set on another successful season. The Pioneers lost to eventual tournament champion Cal State Monterey by three points in the CCAA Championships and finished 9-13 in conference and 12-17 overall during the 2011-12 campaign. With a majority of quality returning players and newcomers expected to bring immediate help, the Pioneers will be competitive in the CCAA under third year Head coach Suzy Barcomb and Associate Head Coach Holli Howard-Carpenter. 

Leading a group of outstanding returning players is post-player senior Marlene MacMillan. Named second-team All-CCAA, MacMillan ranked second in the conference in offensive rebounds (3.6rpg) and fourth in total rebounds (9.5rpg). MacMillan averaged 9.9 points a game in conference. Front court player Cassie Coble, a 6-1 junior, is coming off ACL surgery. Coble averaged 6.6 points a game and was third in the CCAA in free throw percentage. Senior Lauren Lucchesi, who averaged 8.1 points a game in CCAA play, along with Brianna Terrance, coming off a solid sophomore campaign, are two experienced players in the Pioneers front court. Lucchesi scored 26 points in a Pioneer nine-point exhibition defeat to San Jose State on November 1. Terrance averaged 9.1 points a game while shooting 49.4 percent from the field in the CCAA.

In the back court, the Pioneers feature CCAA Freshman of the Year Micah Walker. In the CCAA, Walker averaged nine points a game. In an exhibition game against UOP on November 4, Walker scored 13 points and nine rebounds. Hege Blikra, coming off ACL surgery, junior Sarah Finlay and senior Nia Bravo add valuable experience in the backcourt.

The Pioneers added three transfers who are expected to add depth at the guard and forward positions. Meaghan Cichoke is a transfer from Eastern Washington University who can play the 1 or 2 spot.  Rachel Finnegan is a transfer from San Jose State, while Sabrina Swayzer comes from a very successful Ohlone College. The future of the Pioneer women's basketball program looks promising with the addition of freshmen Tori Breshers-Narbonne High School, Candace Akaigbe, Sweetwater High School and Leanne Willingham, Spanaway High School. 

“With six new faces and missing some key people we are still trying to discover our identity,” Pioneer coach Suzy Barcomb said.  “It is early in the year and yet these are two key West Region games on our home floor. It is critical we play well on the defensive end of the floor and take advantage of our scoring opportunities.”

SCOUTING THE URBAN KNIGHTS
The 2011-12 Academy of Art women's basketball team season enjoyed its best season in school history. The season featured a victory over Cal State East Bay, capturing the Dixie State Thanksgiving Classic and  winning nine straight games. The Urban Knights finished 12-6 in the Pacific West Conference and 16-10 overall. A total of 10 athletes return to lead the Urban Knights during the 2012-13 season. A large senior class features guards Nicol Biesek and Jordan Rogers, forward Ariel Dale and centers Katy Wade and Julia Fraser. Both Rogers and Dale earned   All-PacWest Second Team honors last year. Biesek established the school record with 25 blocked shots and was second on the team with 2.8 assists per game.

“They have an incredibly deep roster in all positions,” Barcomb said.  “They are talented, have great team speed, shoot the 3-ball and rebound. Coming off of a highly successful season last year, combining the returning talent with the new talent, Coach Larson looks to have the team ready to compete for a PacWest title.”

PREVIEWING THE PENGUINS
Dominican University comes off a 3-15 showing in the Pacific West Conference and a 4-24 overall record. Guard Kimi Nakamura returns for her senior campaign. Nakamura was the Penguins second leading scorer during the 2011-12 campaign with an 8.5 point per game average. This season, Dominican University landed the biggest incoming class in the history of the school's program. The recruiting class includes guards Melissa Boscarino, from Hart High School in Newhall, Julia Brew, out of Canyon Crest Academy in San Diego and center Kelsie Niemetz, from Sir Francis Drake High School. A pair of JC transfers expected to help the Penguins this season include center Jasmine Cox and guard Yvonne Sanchez, both from Citrus College. 

“They return five from last year's roster and have eight new faces,” Barcomb said. “They have a strong inside presence with Lauren Hyatt and Sarah Nelson and added some additional height with Niemetz. Quick guards, who can go off the bounce and shoot the three-pointers.” 

JUDGING THE JACKS
Humboldt State ended the 2011-12 season with a 19-8 record. The Jacks finished second in the CCAA at 15-7 and were beaten by Chico State in the first round of the Conference Championship Tournament. Humboldt State's experience from last year comes from seniors Lisa Petty and Caitie Richards, along with juniors Elle Anderson and Kelly Kime.  Petty, a first team All-CCAA selection, averaged 13.8 points in conference play. Richards netted 10.8 points a game in the CCAA last season. The Jacks also return junior Meghan Ringer and sophomore Danielle Gaumer. The 2012-13 Humboldt State squad will include seven freshman, all of whom will be competing for playing time on the court.

“Humboldt State has one of the top programs in the CCAA year in and year out,” Barcomb said. “Humboldt returns some key members of last year's team. The Jacks always play hard-nose basketball. They're a well-coached team that plays until the final buzzer.”