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Jan. 9, 2001

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The Washington women's basketball team (9-3, 2-0), buoyed by a dramatic 2-0 start to the Pac-10 season, hits the road for the first time since Dec. 3. The Huskies first meet Arizona State (9-5, 1-1) at 7 p.m. MST (6 p.m. PST), Thurs., Jan. 11 in Tempe, followed by a game against No. 22 Arizona at 2 p.m. MST (1 p.m. PST) Sat., Jan. 13 in Tucson. Both games can be heard live on KKOL 1300 a.m.

The Huskies, who have won eight of their last nine, are coming off a pair of wins in which they pounded UCLA, 73-54, and then pulled off a triple overtime win against USC, 91-79, to open Pac-10 play. The weekend concluded a seven-game homestand during which the Huskies posted a mark of 6-1, with the only loss a two point setback to Colorado State. They sit atop the league standings this week, alongside three other undefeated teams, including Arizona. Washington leads the Pac-10 in rebounding (46.4 rpg), rebounding margin (+8.2), and assists (16.67 apg) while three Huskies rank among the league's top 20 rebounders.

Three Huskies are averaging double figure scoring, led by senior Megan Franza at 13.8 points per game, and followed by Giuliana Mendiola (12.1 ppg) and sophomore Kellie O'Neill (11.2). Three other players are right behind, giving UW a balanced attack this season. Loree Payne, last season's leading scorer, is quickly returning to form and was back in the starting lineup this weekend.

ASU opened Pac-10 play with a split on the road, losing at Stanford (92-64) and then winning at California (58-47). After opening the season with four straight wins, the Sun Devils have been unable to win two in a row. They are led Amanda Levens, who is averaging 13.9 points per game. Charli Turner Thorne, who was an assistant at Washington from 1989-90 season, is in her fifth year at ASU.

Arizona, ranked No. 22 in the current AP poll and No. 24 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, is also 2-0 to start the Pac-10. The Wildcats opened with a win at California (79-68) and then knocked off No. 21 Stanford (68-65). They lead the league in scoring at 81.9 points per game while lone senior Reshea Bristol averages 14.6 points and a league-leading 6.54 assists per game. Coach Joan Bonvicini is in her 10th season at Arizona, 22nd year overall, and is four wins shy of 500 career victories.

Game 13
Washington Huskies (9-3, 2-0) at Arizona State Sun Devils (9-5, 1-1)
7 p.m. MST (6 p.m. PST)
Thurs., Jan. 11
Wells Fargo Arena (14,198)
Tempe, Ariz.

Game 14
at Arizona Wildcats (12-2, 2-0)
2 p.m. MST (1 p.m. PST)
Sat., Jan. 13
McKale Center (14,545)
Tucson, Ariz.

The Coaches
Washington
June Daugherty (Ohio St. OE78)
Record at UW: 68-59 (5th yr.)
Career record: 191-133 (12th yr.)
Arizona State
Charli Turner Thorne (Stanford OE88)
Record at ASU: 54-71 (5th yr.)
Career: 94-111 (8th yr.)
Arizona
Joan Bonvicini (S. Connecticut OE75)
Record at UA: 171-107 (10th yr.)
Career: 496-181 (22nd yr.)

Series Notes
UW leads the series with Arizona, 22-7, but UA has won the last three ... UW leads ASU, 20-10, with ASU holding a current one game streak.

Huskies on Radio
All UW games air live on KKOL 1300 AM radio. Steve Sandmeyer calls the action. Games can also be heard live on the internet at: http:/www.broadcast.com/sports/ncaa/washington

June Daugherty Radio Show
KOMO am 1000
Mondays, 6:30-7 p.m.

Next Games
vs. Oregon, 7 p.m., Jan 18
vs. Oregon State, 2 p.m., Jan. 20
Bank of America Arena
Seattle, Wash.

Keeler to Redshirt:
Freshman forward Sarah Keeler (Pendleton, Ore.) will redshirt this season and begin her first year of play in 2001-02. Keeler, a USA Today honorable mention selection as a junior in high school, suffered a torn ACL during her senior year at Pendleton High. Keeler had surgery Nov. 10 to repair a minor meniscus tear in her left knee. She slightly re-injured the knee during practice recently. Keeler is continuing rehabilitation and is practicing with the team.

"We felt it was best for Sarah to be completely healthy," said UW coach June Daugherty. "She is going to be an outstanding player for us, and by redshirting this year, she will be able to play a complete and healthy season next year."

Raising Arizona:
The Husky senior class has extra motivation on this first Pac-10 road trip. They enter the weekend in the desert without ever having won at ASU or Arizona. The last time a Washington team won at either school was Feb. 1, 1997 in Tempe when the Huskies won, 81-73, over the Sun Devils.

Huskies in Overtime:
The triple overtime game against USC Sunday was Washington's second this season. The Huskies opened the year with a 77-74 loss at the buzzer in one overtime period at Indiana. The triple overtime game against USC was the first in UW school history. Washington's all-time record in overtime is 8-9 since 1976.

UW Against Ranked Teams:
Washington's game against Arizona will mark its second against a ranked opponent this season. The first was a loss at the hands of No. 1 Connecticut back on Nov. 24. Though it will only be the second ranked team the Huskies have faced this season, their schedule is not light. In the Jan. 7 RPI rankings, Washington's schedule is listed as No. 16 in the country, in strength of schedule. It was No. 2 last week.

The Last Time:
Washington opened the conference season 3-0 was in 1998-99, when the Huskies defeated Washington State (91-69), Arizona State (86-54) and Arizona (73-63) at home. The last time they opened a Pac-10 season 4-0 was in 1992.

Looking Back:
After 12 games last season, Washington had a record of 4-8 ... this year, the Huskies are 9-3, and have won eight of their last nine games ... they opened the Pac-10 season 0-2 last year and now stand 2-0 entering their first league road trip.

Dawgbite:
Washington's 9-3 start on the year is its best since the 1997-98 season when the Huskies jumped out to a 10-0 mark and a No. 7 national ranking. That team finished 18-10 and advanced to first round of the NCAA Tournament. The victory over UCLA Jan. 4 gave UW a mark of 8-3, to equal Washington's win total from last season.

Road Warriors:
Washington returns to the road this week for the first time since a Dec. 3 game at Oklahoma State. The Huskies had success on the road during the non-conference season, posting a record of 3-1 away from home. The only loss was a 77-74 setback in overtime at the buzzer to an Indiana squad that now boasts a record of 12-3. The three wins came at Michigan, Boise State and Oklahoma State.

Senior Strength:
Husky coach June Daugherty continually points to the six-player senior class as a major reason for UW's hot start this year, crediting the group with strong leadership in practice and during games. Senior captains Megan Franza and Jill Pimley headline the group. Franza has been a constant in the starting lineup since her freshman year and is a leader on the court. Pimley is in her second season as a team captain and is a vocal leader whether she is playing or on the bench. LeAnn Sheets, who has struggled with injuries throughout her career, is healthy and gives the Huskies a veteran presence in the post. Melissa Erickson also offers experience off the bench, giving the Huskies added height inside. Sarah Duncan was named Most Inspirational last season and continues to fill that role this year. Carli Halpenny rounds out the group. A redshirt junior, she has opted to graduate this year in order to spend the spring quarter studying in Italy. The move puts her back in the class she entered with in 1997 and strengths the leadership the six-player group provides.

Washington had no seniors on its roster last season when it posted an 8-22 record.

Dawgbite:
Megan Franza will play in her 100th game as a Husky when Washington faces ASU Thursday.

Happy Birthday!
Gioconda Mendiola - Jan. 7 (20)
Giuliana Mendiola - Jan. 9 (19)
Sarah Keeler - Jan. 28 (19)

Healthy Huskies:
While crediting the senior class with leading the Huskies, coach Daugherty also points to a healthy lineup as cause for celebration. Washington's frontline was beset by injuries last season, causing Daugherty to constantly shuffle her lineup. No less than five different players were on the bench with injuries at one point or another last year. LeAnn Sheets missed the first eight games of the season after foot surgery. Cheryl Sorenson ended up redshirting after a torn ACL in preseason. Melissa Erickson was hampered by a sore shoulder during the non-conference portion of the schedule. Carli Halpenny was limited by a stress reaction in her hip and was initially declared out for the season and Kellie O'Neill had a premature end to her freshman year after suffering a severe ankle sprain midway through the season.

Sheets suffered a sprained ankle at Boise State this year, causing her to miss the next two games, but she has returned to full strength. In addition, Loree Payne returned after missing the first six games with a stress fracture in her foot. She posted a season-best 21 points against USC.

The healthy lineup has given the Huskies increased depth this season, a factor that was particularly evident in the triple overtime win against USC Jan. 7. The Trojans had four key players foul out while the Huskies were able to constantly rotate fresh players in the game.

So Far, So Good:
Washington wrapped up the non-conference portion of its schedule with a mark of 7-3, its best non-league record since 1997-98 when it was 9-0. Included in that record is a 3-1 mark on the road. The only three losses of the season came in overtime at the buzzer at Indiana, at the hands of No. 1 Connecticut and a two-point loss to a 10-1 Colorado State team. The third straight road win, at Oklahoma State Dec. 3, equalled UW's mark from all of last season. The wins have been impressive, beginning with a 73-60 thumping of a Michigan team that had knocked off Louisiana Tech two nights earlier. The Huskies rebounded from the UConn loss by cruising past Boise State, 87-67, and followed with the win at OSU and its first home victory in the new arena, against Nebraska. The Huskies have a home mark of 6-2. Helping the cause this year has been increased scoring from the bench and a versatile rotation that is nearly three deep at every position.

Pizza Time!:
Washington's defensive efforts have been stellar so far this season and it's not just the Huskies who are reaping the benefits. When Washington wins at home and holds its opponent under 55 points, every fan in Bank of America Arena can redeem their ticket stub for a free small pizza at Papa John's Pizza. It's become a rally cry for the home crowd and so far, the fans have cashed in twice, against UCLA (54) Thursday night and against Loyola Marymount (52) on Dec. 21. They just missed against James Madison when the Dukes tallied 56 points. Overall, the Huskies are holding opponents to 65.2 points per game this season.

Dawgbite:
When Washington defeated UCLA Jan. 4, it gave fifth-year Husky coach June Daugherty career victory number 190. She enters the ASU/UA series with a 12-year mark of 191-135 ... she has a mark of 68-59 in her fifth year at Washington ... her win total is third among seven Husky coaches over the years.

Mendiola Magic:
Freshman guard Giuliana Mendiola is off to a great start in her first season as a Husky. The Seattle Times Classic MVP, she leads the team in rebounding with an average of 7.7 boards per game, a mark that is third-best in the Pac-10. She is the second-leading scorer with 12.1 per game and has a Pac-10 leading four double-doubles to her credit, against Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Colorado State and USC. Mendiola, who plays the one, two and three guard spots, has started 10 games already and is averaging 30 minutes per contest. Mendiola, the younger sister of teammate Gioconda, takes care of the ball well, with only one turnover in her first college game, at Indiana, none at Boise State and none against Loyola Marymount. She dished out eight assists versus UCLA. In the triple overtime win over USC, Mendiola had 12 points, 10 rebound, six assists and only two turnovers in 41 minutes of action.

More Magic:
Freshman guard Gioconda Mendiola established a new career high with a team-leading 10 points against UCLA. Mendiola had only scored in two of the nine games in which she had played this season. Her previous high was five points against James Madison.

Payne Returns to Action:
Sophomore guard Loree Payne returned to the starting lineup against UCLA and USC. UW's leading scorer as a freshman last season (17.4 ppg), Payne missed the first six games after being sidelined by a stress fracture in her left foot. The sophomore guard, who was on the gold-medal winning USA Basketball Jones Cup team this summer, tallied a game-high 21 points in the win over USC. It was the 10th time in her career she has topped the 20-point plateau. Payne played for the first time this season against Loyola Marymount, Dec. 21 and played 10 minutes going 3-of-5 >from the field, including a three pointer and a free throw, for eight points. Against James Madison, Payne played seven minutes and scored three points with one assist and one steal. Her playing time increased to 21 minutes against CSU when she scored nine points. She had five points in 17 minutes against UCLA.

The Series with ASU
Overall: UW leads, 20-10
Current streak: ASU has won 1 game
Last six games: Even, 3-3
Last year: Split, UW won, 78-76 in Seattle, ASU won, 74-53 in Tempe
Longest UW streak in series: 11 games Longest ASU streak: 3 games
Last UW win in Tempe: Feb. 1, 1997 (81-73)
June Daugherty vs. ASU: 5-3

Last Year at ASU:
(Feb. 12, 2000) ASU senior Rachel Holt scored 20 points as the Sun Devils downed Washington, 74-53. The 21-point victory matched ASU's biggest win over the Huskies, dating back to an 82-61 decision in Tempe on Nov. 23, 1979.

ASU pulled ahead in the game with a 19-2 run midway through the first half to lead 32-15. By halftime, the Sun Devils had increased their lead to 45-22, the team's largest halftime lead of the year. Arizona State shot 50 percent in the first half and turned the ball over a season-low five times in the first 20 minutes. In the second half, the Sun Devils increased their lead to as many as 29 points en route to the 74-53 victory. Arizona State outrebounded Washington 25-9 in the second half and finished with a 43-24 advantage on the boards in the game.

Megan Franza, the leading scorer in the Pac-10, led the Huskies with 19 points. She scored the first basket 23 seconds into the game, to put her over the 1,000 point mark for her career. She entered the game with 999 points. Emily Autrey came off the bench to score 11 points and a team-high six rebounds and four assists.

Last Year at Arizona:
(Feb. 10, 2000) Reshea Bristol scored a season-high 18 points as No. 16 Arizona beat Washington 96-81. Bristol made her first six shots and finished with six rebounds. Angela Lackey scored 17 points, Tatum Brown added 15 and Elizabeth Pickney and Lisa Griffith had 13 apiece for the Wildcats. Washington was led by Megan Franza's 18 points. LeAnn Sheets matched her career-high with 14 and Loree Payne 13 for the Huskies.

After four ties and 10 lead changes, Arizona took a 49-40 lead at the break. Franza missed her first five field goal attempts but then hit three straight three pointers to get going. She scored 11 straight points and Sheets added a free throw to make it 41-38 with 2:19 to go in the first. Arizona then went on a 9-2 run to end the half and opened the second with a 20-6 run. The Wildcats twice extended their lead to 30-point margins before the Huskies used a 21-6 run over the final five minutes to close the gap.

Injury Update:
Loree Payne missed the first six game with a stress fracture in her left foot but has returned. She saw her first game action Dec. 21 against LMU, playing 10 minutes. Cheryl Sorenson has been nursing tendinitis in her knee and is playing sparingly. LeAnn Sheets suffered a left ankle sprain at Boise State and missed the Nebraska and Oklahoma State games. She returned to action against St. Mary's and is back the starting lineup. Sarah Keeler, who had a minor meniscus tear in December, will redshirt this season. Huskies Honor UW Football Player: The women's basketball team is wearing a patch with the initials "CW" on its jerseys this season, to support senior football player Curtis Williams, who suffered a spinal cord injury during the Oct. 28 football game at Stanford. Williams, who attended the Rose Bowl, is currently in a rehabilitation center in San Jose, Calif.

Megan on the Move:
Senior guard Megan Franza continues to move up the Washington's career Top 10 scoring chart, now standing at No. 9 with 1,263 points. Her 18 points against USC bumped her ahead of Laurie Merlino, who had 1,262 points from 1988-91. Franza moved onto the list against James Madison, Dec. 22, moving past Amy Mickelson, who had 1,224 points from 1987-90. Franza, the Huskies' leading scorer this year at 13.8 per game, is 67 points away from tying former teammate Amber Hall, who scored 1,330 points from 1995-99.

A first team All-Pac-10 selection last year, Franza has a career scoring average of 12.8 points per game.

She became the 16th Husky to top the 1,000-point barrier and only the eighth player to pass the mark as a junior last year. Dating back to last season, Franza has scored in double figures in 36 of the last 41 games. She has been in the starting lineup for 96 of UW's last 98 games.

More Megan:
Franza entered the year at No. 2 on UW's career three point field goals made list, with 139. She has added 17 more in 12 games this season for a total of 156, including a high of five at Indiana. Franza is chasing former standout Jamie Redd (1995-99), who tops the list with 192 treys. She is also No. 2 on the three point attempts list with 568, again chasing Redd who attempted 675 long range bombs during her career. Franza equaled her career-high for attempts, with 13 against Nebraska Dec. 6.

Last year at 17.2 ppg, Franza led the Pac-10 in scoring until the final two weeks of the season, while Loree Payne finished fourth with 17.4 points per game. Together they formed the highest scoring duo from the same school in Pac-10 history.

With the graduation of Maylana Martin (UCLA) and the redshirt season for Oregon's injured Shaquala Williams, Payne and Franza entered the 2000-01 season as the leading returning scorers in the Pac-10.

Last Week
UW 91, USC 79 (3OT): Megan Franza scored six of her 18 points in the third and final overtime period as Washington finally pulled away for a 91-79 victory over USC.

Franza moved into ninth place on UW's career scoring list in the first triple-overtime game in Washington history. Loree Payne scored 21 points while Kellie O'Neill and Giuliana Mendiola added double-doubles. O'Neill scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, Mendiola had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Tashara Carter had a chance to win it for USC in the second overtime period, but missed the second of two free throws with .5 seconds remaining in the period and the score tied 75-75.

Washington failed to convert on late opportunities to win at the end of regulation and the first overtime period.With the score tied at 66-66, Jill Pimley missed a short runner and Payne a 15-foot fadeaway jumper in the final five seconds of the first overtime. Mendiola missed a 3-pointer with three seconds left in regulation and O'Neill missed a short put-back jumper at the buzzer with the game tied at 58-58.Washington outscored USC 16-4 in the third overtime period. Four Trojans fouled out of the game.

USC led for most of the first half. Washington took command with a 22-5 run that started with 5:19 remaining in the first half and wrapped around halftime, ending 4:14 into the second half with the Huskies ahead 40-30. The Trojans responded with a 24-9 run over the next ten minutes and the lead changed hands three times late before O'Neill scored the final points of regulation with an eight-foot fadeaway that tied the game at 58-58 with 36.3 seconds remaining.

UW 73, UCLA 54:
Freshman Gioconda Mendiola scored a career-high 10 points in leading the Huskies to a 73-54 victory over UCLA in the Pac-10 opener Thursday night.

Mendiola came off the bench to hit 4-of-5 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers. She was the only Husky player to reach double-figures in scoring, but all 13 UW players had at least two points. UCLA's Michelle Greco led all scorers with 19 points, but her shooting touch arrived late. Greco entered the game with a conference-leading scoring average of 18.7, but was did not score in the first half. She missed her first eight field goal attempts. Greco's 3-pointer with 16 minutes left in the game, cut the Husky lead to 42-29, but the Bruins could not get any closer. Mendiola gave Washington its largest lead of the game when her 3-pointer made the score 64-36 with 5:50 to play. UW led 18-13 with 12 minutes remaining in the first half before going on a 13-0 run that increased the Husky advantage to 18 points. UCLA went scoreless for 9:18 before Leatham ended the drought with a free throw to make the score 31-14. UW turned the ball over 13 times in the first half, but built an early lead because of the Bruins' poor shooting. UCLA shot 24 percent in the half, and made only four of its first 22 shots from the field. The Huskies led 35-18 at halftime.

USC Game Notes
UW played in its' first triple overtime game in school history ... UW is now 1-1 in overtime this season ... UW outscored USC 16-4 in the final overtime period, keyed by the six points of Megan Franza ... Loree Payne added five points in the final five minutes ... UW outrebounded USC 17-7 after the end of regulation ... The Huskies finished witn a season high 57 rebounds and it is the fifth time this season the Dawgs have grabbed more than 50 boards ... Loree Payne's 21 points were a season high, marking the tenth time in her career she has gone over 20 points ... The Huskies are 9-0 when leading at the half ... Giuliana Mendiola's 12 points and 10 rebounds marked her fourth double-double of the season. Kellie O'Neill scored 16 points and added 10 rebound for her first double-double of the season, fourth of her career ... USC's eight blocks were a UW season opponent high ... The Huskies 91 points were a season high and the last time the Dawgs scored over 90 was December 18, 1999 vs. Idaho (99-72). The last time Washington scored 90 points against a Pac-10 opponent was a 96-85 win over UCLA February 27, 1999.

UCLA Game Notes
Jill Pimley's three 3-pointers made and four 3-pointers attempted are both career highs ... Gioconda Mendiola established a new career high with a team-leading 10 points. Mendiola had only scored in two of the nine games in which she had played this season, her previous career high was five points against James Madison ... UCLA's 18 points at halftime were a UW opponent season low ... After making just six of 25 baskets in the first half (24%), UCLA hit 15 of 33 in the second (45.5%). The Bruins second half turnaround was keyed by junior guard Michelle Greco, who went seven for 13, including five for nine from three point range to score 19 points after an 0-8 first half ... After UCLA hit two free throws to open the game, Washington came back to take a 4-2 lead and never trailed again ... as a team, UW had a seaon high 23 assists.

Huskies Among National Leaders in RPI Rankings
Washington's impressive stand in the RPI rankings continues. In the Jan. 7 Collegiate Basketball News Women's RPI Ratings, UW stands at No. 16 in the nation and its schedule is listed as the 21st-toughest. Last week, they were No. 7 and listed as having the second-toughest schedule.

Washington has posted a record of 9-3 in the early season, including a six-game win streak that was just snapped by a now 11-2 Colorado State team. The wins have been impressive. UW's victory over Michigan came against a Wolverine team that had knocked off then-eighth-ranked Louisiana Tech, a 2000 Final Four participant. Washington's season-opening loss at Indiana, at the buzzer in overtime, came against a Hoosier team that has gone on to post a record of 11-2. UW's other loss came at the hands of top-ranked and defending national champion Connecticut.

The Rating Percentage Index (RPI) is used by the NCAA women's basketball committee to supplement the selection of at-large teams and the seeding of all teams for the NCAA basketball tournament. It is derived from three component factors: Div. 1 winning percentage (25%), schedule strength (50%) and opponent's schedule strength (25%).

On the Rebound:
Washington's rebounding efforts have improved tremendously from last season. After a cumulative -4.3 rebounding margin in 2000, the Huskies lead the Pac-10 with a margin of +8.2. Aside from a five-rebound advantage by Connecticut and a one board margin to St. Mary's, the Huskies have outrebounded their other 10 opponents. UW is averaging 46.4 rpg, first in the Pac-10, after 12 games. Freshman Giuliana Mendiola is currently the leading rebounder at 7.7 boards per game. LeAnn Sheets, who missed two games with an ankle injury, is at 6.5 rpg, after returning to the lineup against St. Mary's and Kellie O'Neill is at 6.0 rpg.

Look at Lalum:
Freshman Andrea Lalum (Bozeman, Mont.) blocked four shots in the game against St. Mary's Dec. 17. That mark is the highest by a Husky player since Amber Hall swatted four away at Texas on Dec. 2, 1996. Hall, then a junior, went on to finish her career as Washington's career-leading rebounder (1,003 rebounds, 1996-99).

Catching up with Kellie:
Sophomore Kellie O'Neill is off to a hot start in her second season as Husky. A 6-1 guard-forward who started only nine games and averaged 6.4 points before suffering an ankle injury last season, poured in a game-high 27 points against Connecticut in Washington's home-opener Nov. 24.

O'Neill, who topped her previous career-best 16-point from December 1999, went 12-for-18 from the field, including a 2-for-3 effort from 3-point range. Even more impressive was who it came against. O'Neill put in the highest individual scoring effort against UConn to that point in the season. Only three players - including 2000 WNBA Rookie of the Year Betty Lennox

were able to score at least 25 points against UConn and its stingy defense last season.

She nearly eclipsed a Husky school record for field goal percentage at Oklahoma State. O'Neill hit her first nine shots from the field, en route to a 20 point, nine rebound effort against the Cowgirls. She was nearing former standout Karen Deden's mark of 10-of11 (.919) versus Arizona State back in 1989. O'Neill, one of three Huskies averaging double figure scoring, is third on the team at 11.2 points per game.

O'Neill, whose younger sister Kristen recently signed with Huskies for next season, finished her high school career at Meadowdale with 1,414 points, 810 rebounds, 213 steals and 170 blocks with a career field goal percentage of 50.9 percent.

What They're Saying about O'Neill
"I like the way she plays," Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma said of Kellie O'Neill after she scored 27 points against them on Nov. 24. "You have to guard her at the 3-point line. She's really smart with the ball in the lane. Their guards (Megan Franza and injured Loree Payne) get a lot of mention and notoriety, and they should. But I think that kid (O'Neill) is really, really good."