University of Washington 2001 Women’s www.gohuskies.com Contact: Susan Reid, UW Media Relations (206) 543-2230 [email protected] Jan. 8, 2001 TM

Game 13 Huskies Take 2-0 Pac-10 Record on the Road Washington Huskies (9-3, 2-0) at UW Women Meet ASU, Arizona in First League Road Games (9-5, 1-1) This Week: The Washington women’s basketball team (9-3, 2-0), buoyed by a dramatic 2-0 7 p.m. MST (6 p.m. PST) start to the Pac-10 season, hits the road for the first time since Dec. 3. The Huskies first meet Thurs., Jan. 11 Arizona State (9-5, 1-1) at 7 p.m. MST (6 p.m. PST), Thurs., Jan. 11 in Tempe, followed by a Wells Fargo Arena (14,198) game against No. 22 Arizona at 2 p.m. MST (1 p.m. PST) Sat., Jan. 13 in Tucson. Both games Tempe, Ariz. 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 Game 14 they pounded UCLA, 73-54, and then pulled off a triple overtime win against USC, 91-79, to at Arizona Wildcats (12-2, 2-0) open Pac-10 play. The weekend concluded a seven-game homestand during which the Huskies 2 p.m. MST (1 p.m. PST) posted a mark of 6-1, with the only loss a two setback to Colorado State. They sit atop the Sat., Jan. 13 league standings this week, alongside three other undefeated teams, including Arizona. McKale Center (14,545) Washington leads the Pac-10 in rebounding (46.4 rpg), rebounding margin (+8.2), and assists Tucson, Ariz. (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 The Coaches points per game, and followed by Giuliana Mendiola (12.1 ppg) and sophomore Kellie O’Neill Washington (11.2). Three other players are right behind, giving UW a balanced attack this season. Loree June Daugherty (Ohio St. ‘78) Payne, last season’s leading scorer, is quickly returning to form and was back in the starting Record at UW: 68-59 (5th yr.) lineup this weekend. Career record: 191-133 (12th yr.) ASU opened Pac-10 play with a split on the road, losing at Stanford (92-64) and then Arizona State winning at California (58-47). After opening the season with four straight wins, the Sun Devils Charli Turner Thorne (Stanford ‘88) have been unable to win two in a row. They are led Amanda Levens, who is averaging 13.9 Record at ASU: 54-71 (5th yr.) points per game. Charli Turner Thorne, who was an assistant at Washington from 1989-90 Career: 94-111 (8th yr.) season, is in her fifth year at ASU. Arizona Arizona, ranked No. 22 in the current AP poll and No. 24 in the ESPN/USA Today poll, is Joan Bonvicini (S. Connecticut ‘75) also 2-0 to start the Pac-10. The Wildcats opened with a win at California (79-68) and then Record at UA: 171-107 (10th yr.) knocked off No. 21 Stanford (68-65). They lead the league in scoring at 81.9 points per game Career: 496-181 (22nd yr.) 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 Series Notes wins shy of 500 career victories. UW leads the series with Arizona, 22-7, but UA has won the last three Probable Washington Starters ... UW leads ASU, 20-10, with ASU Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Hometown Pts., Rbs. holding a current one game streak. 24 - Kellie O’Neill F 6-1 So. Lynnwood, Wash. 11.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg 42 - LeAnn Sheets C 6-2 Sr. Olympia, Wash. 6.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg Huskies on Radio 22 - Loree Payne G 6-0 So. Havre, Mont. 9.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg All UW games air live on KKOL 14 - Megan Franza G 5-11 Sr. Leavenworth, Wash. 13.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg 1300 AM radio. Steve Sandmeyer 13 - Giuliana Mendiola G 5-11 Fr. Lake Forest, Calif. 12.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg calls the action. Games can also be heard live on the internet at: http:/ Keeler to Redshirt: Freshman forward Sarah Keeler (Pendleton, Ore.) will redshirt this season www.broadcast.com/sports/ncaa/ and begin her first year of play in 2001-02. Keeler, a USA Today honorable mention selection washington 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 June Daugherty Radio Show knee during practice recently. Keeler is continuing rehabilitation and is practicing with the KOMO am 1000 team. Mondays, 6:30-7 p.m. “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 Next Games play a complete and healthy season next year.” vs. Oregon, 7 p.m., Jan 18 vs. Oregon State, 2 p.m., Jan. 20 Bank of America Arena Seattle, Wash. Husky Women’s Basketball, page 2 Raising Arizona: The Husky senior class has extra motivation on this first Pac-10 road trip. 2000-2001 Schedule 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 9-3 overall, 2-0 Pac-10 won, 81-73, over the Sun Devils. N 6 Latvia (x) W, 98-84 N 12 Bay Area (x) W, 102-68 Huskies in Overtime: The triple overtime game against USC Sunday was Washington’s N 17 at Indiana L, 74-77 ot second this season. The Huskies opened the year with a 77-74 loss at the buzzer in one over- N 19 at Michigan W, 73-60 time period at Indiana. The triple overtime game against USC was the first in UW school N 24 Connecticut L, 100-54 history. Washington’s all-time record in overtime is 8-9 since 1976. N 27 at Boise St. W, 87-67 D 3 at Oklahoma St. W, 66-59 UW Against Ranked Teams: Washington’s game against Arizona will mark its second against D 6 Nebraska W, 69-57 a ranked opponent this season. The first was a loss at the hands of No. 1 Connecticut back on D 17 St. Mary’s W, 73-61 Nov. 24. Though it will only be the second ranked team the Huskies have faced this season, D 21 Loyola MarymountW, 79-52 their schedule is not light. In the Jan. 7 RPI rankings, Washington’s schedule is listed as No. 16 D 22 James Madison W, 73-56 in the country, in strength of schedule. It was No. 2 last week. D 29 Colorado State L, 64-66 J 4 UCLA W, 73-54 The Last Time: Washington opened the conference season 3-0 was in 1998-99, when the J 7 USC W, 91-79 (3ot) Huskies defeated Washington State (91-69), Arizona State (86-54) and Arizona (73-63) at J 11 at Arizona State 7 p.m. home. The last time they opened a Pac-10 season 4-0 was in 1992. J13 at Arizona 2 p.m. J 18 Oregon 7 p.m. Looking Back: After 12 games last season, Washington had a record of 4-8 ... this year, the J 20 Oregon State 2 p.m. Huskies are 9-3, and have won eight of their last nine games ... they opened the Pac-10 season J 25 at Stanford 7:30 p.m. 0-2 last year and now stand 2-0 entering their first league road trip. J 27 at California 7:30 p.m. F 3 at WSU (Fox Net) 1 p.m. Dawgbite: Washington’s 9-3 start on the year is its best since the 1997-98 season when the F 8 Arizona 7 p.m. Huskies jumped out to a 10-0 mark and a No. 7 national ranking. That team finished 18-10 and F 10 Arizona State 2 p.m. advanced to first round of the NCAA Tournament. The victory over UCLA Jan. 4 gave UW a F 15 at Oregon State 7 p.m. mark of 8-3, to equal Washington’s win total from last season. F 17 at Oregon (Fox Net) 1 p.m. F 22 California 7 p.m. Road Warriors: Washington returns to the road this week for the first time since a Dec. 3 F 24 Stanford 1 p.m. game at Oklahoma State. The Huskies had success on the road during the non-conference M 3 Washington State 1 p.m. season, posting a record of 3-1 away from home. The only loss was a 77-74 setback in overtime M 8 at USC 7 p.m. at the buzzer to an Indiana squad that now boasts a record of 12-3. The three wins came at M 10 at UCLA 1 p.m. Michigan, Boise State and Oklahoma State.

Pac-10 Standings (1/8/00) Senior Strength: Husky coach June Daugherty continually points to the six-player senior class Conf. All as a major reason for UW’s hot start this year, crediting the group with strong leadership in Arizona 2-0 12-2 practice and during games. Senior captains Megan Franza and Jill Pimley headline the group. Washington 2-0 9-3 Franza has been a constant in the starting lineup since her freshman year and is a leader on the Washington St. 2-0 7-5 court. Pimley is in her second season as a team captain and is a vocal leader whether she is Oregon 1-0 8-3 playing or on the bench. LeAnn Sheets, who has struggled with injuries throughout her career, Arizona State 1-1 9-5 is healthy and gives the Huskies a veteran presence in the post. Melissa Erickson also offers Stanford 1-1 7-5 experience off the bench, giving the Huskies added height inside. Sarah Duncan was named Oregon State 0-1 8-3 Most Inspirational last season and continues to fill that role this year. Carli Halpenny rounds USC 0-2 5-7 out the group. A redshirt junior, she has opted to graduate this year in order to spend the spring California 0-2 4-8 quarter studying in Italy. The move puts her back in the class she entered with in 1997 and UCLA 0-2 1-12 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 Healthy Huskies: While crediting the senior class with leading the Huskies, coach Daugherty Washington faces ASU Thursday. 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 Happy Birthday! different players were on the bench with injuries at one point or another last year. LeAnn Gioconda Mendiola - Jan. 7 (20) Sheets missed the first eight games of the season after foot surgery. Cheryl Sorenson ended up Giuliana Mendiola - Jan. 9 (19) redshirting after a torn ACL in preseason. Melissa Erickson was hampered by a sore shoulder Sarah Keeler - Jan. 28 (19) 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.

(Continued) Husky Women’s Basketball, page 3 Sheets suffered a sprained ankle at Boise State this year, causing her to miss the next two Early Signees games, but she has returned to full strength. In addition, Loree Payne returned after missing Three of the top girls basketball the first six games with a stress fracture in her foot. She posted a season-best 21 points players in the state have signed against USC. national letters of intent to attend the The healthy lineup has given the Huskies increased depth this season, a factor that was University of Washington next fall: particularly evident in the triple overtime win against USC Jan. 7. The Trojans had four key Kirsten Brockman players foul out while the Huskies were able to constantly rotate fresh players in the game. 6-0 • Forward • Snohomish, Wash. (Snohomish HS) So Far, So Good: Washington wrapped up the non-conference portion of its schedule with a Kayla Burt mark of 7-3, its best non-league record since 1997-98 when it was 9-0. Included in that 5-11 • Guard • Arlington, Wash. record is a 3-1 mark on the road. The only three losses of the season came in overtime at the (Arlington HS) buzzer at Indiana, at the hands of No. 1 Connecticut and a two-point loss to a 10-1 Colorado Kristen O’Neill State team. The third straight road win, at Oklahoma State Dec. 3, equalled UW’s mark from Guard • 6-1 • Lynnwood, Wash. all of last season. The wins have been impressive, beginning with a 73-60 thumping of a (Meadowdale HS) Michigan team that had knocked off Louisiana Tech two nights earlier. The Huskies re- bounded from the UConn loss by cruising past Boise State, 87-67, and followed with the win Husky Media Relations 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 Jim Daves, Assistant AD and a versatile rotation that is nearly three deep at every position. Susan Reid, Women’s Basketball SID e-mail: [email protected] Pizza Time!: Washington’s defensive efforts have been stellar so far this season and it’s not Main Office Phone: 206-543-2230 just the Huskies who are reaping the benefits. When Washington wins at home and holds its Fax: 206-543-5000 opponent under 55 points, every fan in Bank of America Arena can redeem their ticket stub Ticket Office: 206-543-2200 for a free small pizza at Papa John’s Pizza. It’s become a rally cry for the home crowd and so Internet: www.gohuskies.com far, the fans have cashed in twice, against UCLA (54) Thursday night and against Loyola WBB Radio: KKOL 1300 am Marymount (52) on Dec. 21. They just missed against James Madison when the Dukes tallied Steve Sandmeyer on radio 56 points. Overall, the Huskies are holding opponents to 65.2 points per game this season. Bank of America Arena (10,000) Built in 1927, renovated March Dawgbite: When Washington defeated UCLA Jan. 4, it gave fifth-year Husky coach June 1999-Nov. 2000 Daugherty career victory number 190. She enters the ASU/UA series with a 12-year mark of Internet: www.gohuskies.com 191-135 ... she has a mark of 68-59 in her fifth year at Washington ... her win total is third Weekly June Daugherty radio show: among seven Husky coaches over the years. Mondays, 6:30-7 p.m. 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 Husky Quick Facts average of 7.7 boards per game, a mark that is third-best in the Pac-10. She is the second- Washington Huskies leading scorer with 12.1 per game and has a Pac-10 leading four double-doubles to her Head coach: June Daugherty (Ohio credit, against Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Colorado State and USC. Mendiola, who plays the State ’78) one, two and three guard spots, has started 10 games already and is averaging 30 minutes per at UW: 68-59 (fifth season) contest. Mendiola, the younger sister of teammate Gioconda, takes care of the ball well, with career: 191-133 (12th season) only one turnover in her first college game, at Indiana, none at Boise State and none against Assistant coaches: Loyola Marymount. She dished out eight assists versus UCLA. In the triple overtime win Sunny Smallwood (Boise State ’83, over USC, Mendiola had 12 points, 10 , six assists and only two turnovers in 41 eighth year at UW, fifth year with minutes of action. coach Daugherty), Mike Daugherty More Magic: Freshman guard Gioconda Mendiola established a new career high with a (Ohio State ’77, fifth year) team-leading 10 points against UCLA. Mendiola had only scored in two of the nine games in Shimmy Gray which she had played this season. Her previous high was five points against James Madison. (Michigan ’94, first year). 1999-2000 record: 8-22 Payne Returns to Action: Sophomore guard Loree Payne returned to the starting lineup Pac-10 record: 4-14 / 9th against UCLA and USC. UW’s leading scorer as a freshman last season (17.4 ppg), Payne Letterwinners returning /lost: 10/2 missed the first six games after being sidelined by a stress fracture in her left foot. The Starters returning / lost: 4/1 sophomore guard, who was on the gold-medal winning USA Basketball Jones Cup team this Redshirts returning: 1 summer, tallied a game-high 21 points in the win over USC. It was the 10th time in her career (Cheryl Sorenson) she has topped the 20-point plateau. Payne played for the first time this season against Loyola Newcomers: 4 Marymount, Dec. 21 and played 10 minutes going 3-of-5 from the field, including a three pointer and a , for eight points. Against James Madison, Payne played seven minutes and scored three points with one and one . Her playing time increased to 21 minutes against CSU when she scored nine points. She had five points in 17 minutes against UCLA. Husky Women’s Basketball, page 4 The Series with ASU Preseason Polls Overall: UW leads, 20-10 Current streak: ASU has won 1 game Pac-10 Coaches Last six games: Even, 3-3 1. Stanford (9) 90 Last year: Split; UW won, 78-76 in Seattle; ASU won, 74-53 in Tempe 2. Oregon (1) 78 Longest UW streak in series: 11 games Longest ASU streak: 3 games 3. USC 70 Last UW win in Tempe: Feb. 1, 1997 (81-73) 4. Arizona 66 June Daugherty vs. ASU: 5-3 5. Arizona State 57 6t. UCLA 49 Last Year at ASU: (Feb. 12, 2000) ASU senior Rachel Holt scored 20 points as the Sun Devils Washington 49 downed Washington, 74-53. The 21-point victory matched ASU’s biggest win over the Hus- 8. Oregon State 34 kies, dating back to an 82-61 decision in Tempe on Nov. 23, 1979. 9. California 29 ASU pulled ahead in the game with a 19-2 run midway through the first half to lead 32-15. 10. Washington State 18 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 Pac-10 Media five times in the first 20 minutes. In the second half, the Sun Devils increased their lead to as 1. Stanford (16) 187 many as 29 points en route to the 74-53 victory. Arizona State outrebounded Washington 25-9 2. Oregon (3) 161 in the second half and finished with a 43-24 advantage on the boards in the game. 3. USC 149 Megan Franza, the leading scorer in the Pac-10, led the Huskies with 19 points. She scored 4. Arizona 119 the first basket 23 seconds into the game, to put her over the 1,000 point mark for her career. 5. UCLA 101 She entered the game with 999 points. Emily Autrey came off the bench to score 11 points and 6. Arizona State 95 a team-high six rebounds and four assists. 7. Washington 80 8. California 62 The Series with Arizona 9. Oregon State 57 Overall: UW leads, 22-7 Current streak: UA has won 3 games 10. Washington State 24 Last six games: Arizona leads, 4-2 Last year: UA won both; 96-85 in Seattle and 96-81 in Tucson Dawg Bites Longest UW streak in series: 12 games Longest UA streak: 3 games UW will be led by tri-captains this Last UW win in Tucson: March 2, 1995 (71-68) season. They are senior guard June Daugherty vs. Arizona: 3-5 Megan Franza, senior point guard Jill Pimley and sophomore guard/ Last Year at Arizona: (Feb. 10, 2000) Reshea Bristol scored a season-high 18 points as No. forward Loree Payne. Pimley was a 16 Arizona beat Washington 96-81. Bristol made her first six shots and finished with six captain for the 1999-00 season ... rebounds. Angela Lackey scored 17 points, Tatum Brown added 15 and Elizabeth Pickney and Lisa Griffith had 13 apiece for the Wildcats. ... The six-player senior class has a Washington was led by Megan Franza’s 18 points. LeAnn Sheets matched her career-high with combined 160 game-day starts 14 and Loree Payne 13 for the Huskies. between them. After four ties and 10 lead changes, Arizona took a 49-40 lead at the break. Franza missed her first five 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.

Statistical Comparison UW ASU UA Overall record 9-3 9-5 12-2 AP ranking na na 22 Points per game 72.6 64.4 81.9 Field goal percentage .393 .410 .453 3-Pt. FG percentage .307 .331 .328 Rebounding average 46.4 34.4 43.0

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. Franza led all scorers with 23 points as three other Huskies reached double figures. They shot 50 percent from the field for the game

Husky Women’s Basketball, page 5 Huskies Honor UW Football Player: The women’s basket- Last Week ball team is wearing a patch with the initials “CW” on its UW 91, USC 79 (3OT): Megan Franza scored six of her 18 points jerseys this season, to support senior football player Curtis in the third and final overtime period as Washington finally pulled Williams, who suffered a spinal cord injury during the Oct. 28 away for a 91-79 victory over USC. football game at Stanford. Williams, who attended the Rose Franza moved into ninth place on UW's career scoring list in Bowl, is currently in a rehabilitation center in San Jose, Calif. the first triple-overtime game in Washington history. Loree Payne scored 21 points while Kellie O'Neill and Giuliana Mendiola Megan on the Move: Senior guard Megan Franza continues added double-doubles. O'Neill scored 16 points and grabbed 10 to move up the Washington’s career Top 10 scoring chart, now rebounds, Mendiola had 12 points and 10 rebounds. standing at No. 9 with 1,263 points. Her 18 points against USC Tashara Carter had a chance to win it for USC in the second bumped her ahead of Laurie Merlino, who had 1,262 points overtime period, but missed the second of two free throws with .5 from 1988-91. Franza moved onto the list against James seconds remaining in the period and the score tied 75-75. Madison, Dec. 22, moving past Amy Mickelson, who had Washington failed to convert on late opportunities to win at the 1,224 points from 1987-90. Franza, the Huskies’ leading scorer end of regulation and the first overtime period.With the score tied this year at 13.8 per game, is 67 points away from tying former at 66-66, Jill Pimley missed a short runner and Payne a 15-foot teammate Amber Hall, who scored 1,330 points from 1995-99. fadeaway jumper in the final five seconds of the first overtime. A first team All-Pac-10 selection last year, Franza has a Mendiola missed a 3-pointer with three seconds left in regulation career scoring average of 12.8 points per game. and O'Neill missed a short put-back jumper at the buzzer with the She became the 16th Husky to top the 1,000-point barrier game tied at 58-58.Washington outscored USC 16-4 in the third and only the eighth player to pass the mark as a junior last overtime period. Four Trojans fouled out of the game. year. Dating back to last season, Franza has scored in double USC led for most of the first half. Washington took command figures in 36 of the last 41 games. She has been in the starting with a 22-5 run that started with 5:19 remaining in the first half lineup for 96 of UW’s last 98 games. and wrapped around halftime, ending 4:14 into the second half with the Huskies ahead 40-30. The Trojans responded with a 24-9 More Megan: Franza entered the year at No. 2 on UW’s run over the next ten minutes and the lead changed hands three career three point field goals made list, with 139. She has times late before O'Neill scored the final points of regulation with added 17 more in 12 games this season for a total of 156, an eight-foot fadeaway that tied the game at 58-58 with 36.3 including a high of five at Indiana. Franza is chasing former seconds remaining. standout Jamie Redd (1995-99), who tops the list with 192 treys. She is also No. 2 on the three point attempts list with UW 73, UCLA 54: Freshman Gioconda Mendiola scored a 568, again chasing Redd who attempted 675 long range bombs career-high 10 points in leading the Huskies to a 73-54 victory during her career. Franza equaled her career-high for attempts, over UCLA in the Pac-10 opener Thursday night. with 13 against Nebraska Dec. 6. Mendiola came off the bench to hit 4-of-5 from the field, Last year at 17.2 ppg, Franza led the Pac-10 in scoring until including a pair of 3-pointers. She was the only Husky player to the final two weeks of the season, while Loree Payne finished reach double-figures in scoring, but all 13 UW players had at least fourth with 17.4 points per game. Together they formed the two points. UCLA’s Michelle Greco led all scorers with 19 points, highest scoring duo from the same school in Pac-10 history. but her shooting touch arrived late. Greco entered the game with a With the graduation of Maylana Martin (UCLA) and the conference-leading scoring average of 18.7, but was did not score redshirt season for Oregon’s injured Shaquala Williams, Payne in the first half. She missed her first eight field goal attempts. and Franza entered the 2000-01 season as the leading returning Greco’s 3-pointer with 16 minutes left in the game, cut the Husky scorers in the Pac-10. 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 Next Pac-10 Media Teleconference Set for Jan. 16 made the score 64-36 with 5:50 to play. UW led 18-13 with 12 The Pac-10 basketball coaches teleconference continues with minutes remaining in the first half before going on a 13-0 run that the second call set for Jan. 9. All 10 league coaches will be increased the Husky advantage to 18 points. UCLA went scoreless available on the line for a five minute period, during which for 9:18 before Leatham ended the drought with a free throw to media may call in and ask questions. The women’s portion of make the score 31-14. UW turned the ball over 13 times in the the teleconference begins with opening remarks at 9:30 a.m. first half, but built an early lead because of the Bruins’ poor Husky coach June Daugherty will be on the line from 9:45- shooting. UCLA shot 24 percent in the half, and made only four of 9:50 a.m. The MEDIA-ONLY phone number to call is 913- its first 22 shots from the field. The Huskies led 35-18 at halftime. 981-5507. A taped replay of the call will be available at 4 p.m. that day, and can be heard by calling 402-220-9927. Please do not release these telephone numbers to non-media members. Husky Women’s Basketball, page 6

USC Game Notes On the Rebound: Washington’s rebounding efforts have UW played in its’ first triple overtime game in school history ... improved tremendously from last season. After a cumulative -4.3 UW is now 1-1 in overtime this season ... UW outscored USC rebounding margin in 2000, the Huskies lead the Pac-10 with a 16-4 in the final overtime period, keyed by the six points of margin of +8.2. Aside from a five-rebound advantage by Con- Megan Franza ... Loree Payne added five points in the final five necticut and a one board margin to St. Mary’s, the Huskies have minutes ... UW outrebounded USC 17-7 after the end of outrebounded their other 10 opponents. UW is averaging 46.4 regulation ... The Huskies finished witn a season high 57 rpg, first in the Pac-10, after 12 games. Freshman Giuliana rebounds and it is the fifth time this season the Dawgs have Mendiola is currently the leading rebounder at 7.7 boards per grabbed more than 50 boards ... Loree Payne’s 21 points were a game. LeAnn Sheets, who missed two games with an ankle season high, marking the tenth time in her career she has gone injury, is at 6.5 rpg, after returning to the lineup against St. over 20 points ... The Huskies are 9-0 when leading at the half Mary’s and Kellie O’Neill is at 6.0 rpg. ... Giuliana Mendiola’s 12 points and 10 rebounds marked her fourth double-double of the season. Kellie O’Neill scored 16 Look at Lalum: Freshman Andrea Lalum (Bozeman, Mont.) points and added 10 rebound for her first double-double of the blocked four shots in the game against St. Mary’s Dec. 17. That season, fourth of her career ... USC’s eight blocks were a UW mark is the highest by a Husky player since Amber Hall swatted season opponent high ... The Huskies 91 points were a season four away at Texas on Dec. 2, 1996. Hall, then a junior, went on high and the last time the Dawgs scored over 90 was December to finish her career as Washington’s career-leading rebounder 18, 1999 vs. Idaho (99-72). The last time Washington scored 90 (1,003 rebounds, 1996-99). points against a Pac-10 opponent was a 96-85 win over UCLA February 27, 1999. 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 UCLA Game Notes started only nine games and averaged 6.4 points before suffering Jill Pimley's three 3-pointers made and four 3-pointers at- an ankle injury last season, poured in a game-high 27 points tempted are both career highs ... Gioconda Mendiola established against Connecticut in Washington’s home-opener Nov. 24. a new career high with a team-leading 10 points. Mendiola had O'Neill, who topped her previous career-best 16-point from only scored in two of the nine games in which she had played December 1999, went 12-for-18 from the field, including a 2-for- this season, her previous career high was five points against 3 effort from 3-point range. Even more impressive was who it James Madison ... UCLA's 18 points at halftime were a UW came against. O'Neill put in the highest individual scoring effort opponent season low ... After making just six of 25 baskets in against UConn to that point in the season. Only three players - the first half (24%), UCLA hit 15 of 33 in the second (45.5%). including 2000 WNBA Rookie of the Year - were The Bruins second half turnaround was keyed by junior guard able to score at least 25 points against UConn and its stingy Michelle Greco, who went seven for 13, including five for nine defense last season. from three point range to score 19 points after an 0-8 first half ... She nearly eclipsed a Husky school record for field goal After UCLA hit two free throws to open the game, Washington percentage at Oklahoma State. O’Neill hit her first nine shots came back to take a 4-2 lead and never trailed again ... as a from the field, en route to a 20 point, nine rebound effort against team, UW had a seaon high 23 assists. the Cowgirls. She was nearing former standout Karen Deden’s mark of 10-of11 (.919) versus Arizona State back in 1989. Huskies Among National Leaders in RPI Rankings O’Neill, one of three Huskies averaging double figure scoring, is Washington’s impressive stand in the RPI rankings contin- third on the team at 11.2 points per game. ues. In the Jan. 7 Collegiate Basketball News Women’s RPI O'Neill, whose younger sister Kristen recently signed with Ratings, UW stands at No. 16 in the nation and its schedule is Huskies for next season, finished her high school career at listed as the 21st-toughest. Last week, they were No. 7 and Meadowdale with 1,414 points, 810 rebounds, 213 steals and 170 listed as having the second-toughest schedule. blocks with a career field goal percentage of 50.9 percent. 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 What They’re Saying about O’Neill 11-2 Colorado State team. The wins have been impressive. “I like the way she plays,” Connecticut head coach Geno UW’s victory over Michigan came against a Wolverine team Auriemma said of Kellie O’Neill after she scored 27 points that had knocked off then-eighth-ranked Louisiana Tech, a 2000 against them on Nov. 24. “You have to guard her at the 3-point Final Four participant. Washington’s season-opening loss at line. She’s really smart with the ball in the lane. Their guards Indiana, at the buzzer in overtime, came against a Hoosier team (Megan Franza and injured Loree Payne) get a lot of mention and that has gone on to post a record of 11-2. UW’s other loss came notoriety, and they should. But I think that kid (O’Neill) is really, at the hands of top-ranked and defending national champion really good.” 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%). Husky Women’s Basketball, page 7

Home Sweet Home: Over the last year and a half, Bank of Off the Bench America Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion has undergone an 4 - Melissa Erickson ... Senior leadership and inside presence. extensive renovation. On Nov. 24 the Huskies, who hosted 12 - Sarah Duncan ... Top defender off the bench ... has played defending national champion Connecticut, moved back into in 9-of-10 games ... 3 rebounds, 3 assists at Oklahoma State. their on-campus arena – a venue that provides the charm of its 23 - Emily Autrey ... Came off the bench at Boise St. for a original 1920s style along with all the modern conveniences of career-high 20 points on 8-11 fg ... 6 pts., 6 rbs. vs. LMU. today. Over $40 million dollars in improvements have been 31- Gioconda Mendiola ... Averaging 8 minutes a game in first made and the new transformation ensures that every person in season ... speedy guard ... against LMU, followed a three pointer the building has a great seat with no obstructed views. by her sister Giuliana with one of her own, for her first points of The Huskies have enjoyed remarkable success in Hec the season ... team and career-high 10 pts. vs. UCLA ... birthday Edmundson Pavilion, now called Bank of America Arena, was USC game day (Jan. 7). building a long-standing tradition of top-notch women’s 32 - Jill Pimley ... Has started 9 games ... tri-captain ... defensive basketball on the west coast and across the country. stalwart ... “stat sheet stuffer” who does all the little things ... This season marks the 72nd year of service for the historical career-high 14 points vs. St. Mary’s ... banked a 3-pointer for building that has an entirely new look on the inside. The game highlight ... tied for second in Pac-10 in FT percentage (20- renovation gives Washington a much-needed new competition 23/.870) ... 3-4 from three point line vs. UCLA ... 7 rebounds vs. and practice facility for several of its teams. The seating USC. capacity has been increased from 7,900 to 10,000 and gone are 33 - Carli Halpenny ... Healthy for first time in three seasons ... the supports pillars that have obstructed views from the upper has made tremendous improvement in strength and aggressive- level seats since the buildings inception. The renovation design ness ... initially entered season as a redshirt junior but will of Hec Edmundson Pavilion began in the summer of 1997. complete her eligibility this season and study the spring quarter in Construction began in March, 1999 with completion in the fall Rome, Italy. of 2000. 40 - Andrea Lalum ... Made her first start at Oklahoma State ... four blocked shots against St. Mary’s is best for a Husky since Player Notes Amber Hall in 1996 ... can pound inside or step and hit for three 24 – Kellie O’Neill ... Had a career-high 27 points vs. No. 1 ... 9 pts./9 rbs. vs. UCLA. ... only FG of the USC game came i Connecticut ... 19 pts. in the first half ... 20 pts., 9 rebounds at 3rd OT and extended UW lead to 11 points. Oklahoma State ... hit her first nine shots of the game at OSU ... 41 - Heather Reichmann ... Has seen limited action in first 7 16 pts./12 rbs for fourth career double-double vs. USC. games ... 3 rebounds at Oklahoma State ... 2 steals and 1 assist vs. 42 - LeAnn Sheets ... Missed Nebraska and Oklahoma State St. Mary’s. games with sprained ankle ... returned to starting lineup vs. St. 44 - Cheryl Sorenson ... Sat out Boise St. with tendinitis in knee Mary’s ... Times Classic all-tourney team ... team-high 14 pts. and has played sparingly since then ... versatile guard/forward ... vs. CSU ... 9 pts./10 rbs. vs. USC. returns from redshirt season and ACL surgery ... impressive in 14 - Megan Franza ... Veteran senior captain is again leading first game back, at Indiana, with 5-7 fg for 12 pts., 4 rebounds. scorer with 13.8 ppg ... 23 pts. in season-opener at Indiana ... 21 pts. vs. Nebraska ... tied her career-high with 13 3 pt. attempts ... The Schedule: As is tradition, the Washington women’s basket- No. 9 on UW career scroring list w/1,263 pts. ... Times Classic ball team faces a challenging schedule as it enters the 2000-2001 all-tourney team ... scored 6 pts. in third OT period to lead UW season. The Huskies face 11 teams that played in the postseason to win. last year, seven in the NCAA Tournament, and already saw none 13 - Giuliana Mendiola ... Impressive in first 12 games ... 19 other than defending national champion Connecticut Nov. 24. points at Boise St., with 4 assists, 2 steals and no turnovers in 30 Four Pac-10 teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 min. ... has started 10 games ... 1 turnover in first collegiate and four opponents played in the WNIT, including national semi- game at Indiana and also hit 3-pointer to send game to OT ... finalist Colorado State. four double-doubles, most recently vs. USC (12 pts./10 rbs) ... plays point guard and either wing position ... leading rebounder Coaching Staff: Head coach June Daugherty and her staff enter with 7.7 rpg ... MVP of Seattle Times Classic ... 8 assists vs. their fifth year at Washington, with one newcomer on list. Former UCLA ... only 2 turnovers in 41 minutes vs. USC ... 19th Michigan Wolverine Yeshimbra “Shimmy” Gray joins the birthday is Jan. 9. Huskies this season, replacing Hulett Brooks who left to pursue 22 - Loree Payne ... saw her first action of the season against private business. Daugherty, who was inducted into the Ohio LMU (8 pts.) and JMU (3 pts.) ... 9 points in 21 minutes vs. State Athletic Hall of Fame in September, and her assistants, CSU ... returned to starting lineup vs. UCLA and USC ... game- Sunny Smallwood and Mike Daugherty, have been together since high 21 pts. vs. USC ... 10th time to score 20+ points in her the 1996-97 season. career. Husky Women’s Basketball, page 8 Gold Medal Count: Sophomore Loree Payne capped a stellar LeAnn Sheets in their final year of eligibility. freshman campaign with her selection to the USA Basketball Halpenny, a 6-foot-3 center, enters this season healthy for the R.William Jones Cup team that annually plays in Taiwan. The first time since her arrival in 1997-98. She has played in all six youngest player on the squad and the lone representative from the games this year and is averaging 10 minutes and 2.8 points per Pac-10, Payne helped lead the team to a gold medal in the four- game. Halpenny suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her game tournament. She finished with 16 points, three rebounds knee upon her arrival in 1997 and used a redshirt season for her and four assists in three games played. Payne tallied 11 points in rehabilitation. She saw limited action in her first two seasons, the gold medal game. playing in eight games as a redshirt freshman in 1999 and nine games as a sophomore last year. Reichmann Honored: Junior forward Heather Reichmann received a special honor when her high school jersey was retired Recapping 1999-2000: Faced with a spate of injuries to its front in a surprise ceremony Dec. 19. Reichmann, who prepped at line and a young squad with no seniors, Washington suffered King’s High School in Everett, was a three sport star in high through its first losing season in school history with a record of 8- school, earning letters in basketball, swimming and track. The 22 overall and 4-14th for a ninth place finish in the Pac-10. The 1998 Class A Player of the Year, Reichmann led her basketball season was not without its highlights though, the biggest coming team to a 25-3 record and the state title as a junior and a second back on Jan. 27 when the Huskies upset No. 24 Stanford and place finish as a senior. captured the 500th win for the women’s basketball program. It was the second victory in a row over Stanford and career win No. Halpenny Selected to Study Abroad 180 for coach June Daugherty. Washington was led by the Carli Halpenny is one of 25 University of Washington under- scoring duo of Loree Payne (17.4 ppg) and Megan Franza (17.2 graduates selected to participate in a prestigious international ppg), who combined to form the highest scoring duo from the study program during the spring quarter. She was chosen from a same school in Pac-10 history. Franza was named to the All-Pac- pool of 50 applicants to participate in the UW’s Comparative 10 First Team, continuing a tradition which has seen Washington History of Ideas (CHID) program. have a player on the first team every year but two since the Halpenny, a redshirt junior, will spend the spring, 2000 league began play in the 1986-87 season. Payne finished the year academic quarter at school in Rome, Italy in the program that as one of the most prolific freshman players in UW history. She involves the study of literature, architecture and the culture and broke eight freshman records, highlighted by her scoring mark of language of the country. She was one of 12 students chosen from 521 points. outside the UW architecture school to join the 25-person travel party. Departures: Although Washington did not lose anyone to The program allows Halpenny, who maintains a 3.75 grade graduation, two players did not return to the team this season. point average, to complete her undergraduate degree in zoology Starting point guard Julia Gray transferred to UNLV and reserve and graduate in June, 2001. She has elected to complete her center Tiffiany Diggins left the program. Washington returns four basketball eligibility at the conclusion of this season, a move that of its starters from a year ago. now gives the Huskies a six-player senior class. Halpenny joins Sarah Duncan, Melissa Erickson, Megan Franza, Jill Pimley and

2000-2001 WASHINGTON WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROSTER

No. Name Pos. Ht. Yr. Exp. Hometown (Previous School) 4 Melissa Erickson F 6-3 Sr. 3V Littleton, Colo. (Heritage) 10 Sarah Keeler F 6-4 Fr. HS Pendleton, Ore. (Pendleton) 12 Sarah Duncan G 5-7 Sr. 3V Lake Stevens, Wash. (Lake Stevens) 13 Giuliana Mendiola G 5-7 Fr. HS Lake Forest Park, Calif. (El Toro) 14 Megan Franza G 5-11 Sr. 3V Leavenworth, Wash. (Cascade) 22 Loree Payne G 6-0 So. 1V Havre, Mont. (Havre) 23 Emily Autrey F 6-0 So. 1V Kennewick, Wash. (Kamiakin) 24 Kellie O’Neill F 6-1 So. 1V Lynnwood, Wash. (Meadowdale) 31 Gioconda Mendiola G 5-6 Fr. HS Lake Forest Park, Calif. (El Toro) 32 Jill Pimley G 5-6 Sr. 3V Goldendale, Wash. (Goldendale) 33 Carli Halpenny F/C 6-3 Sr. 2V Victoria, B.C. (Lambrick Park) 40 Andrea Lalum F/C 6-4 Fr. HS Bozeman, Mont. (Bozeman) 41 Heather Reichmann F 6-1 Jr. 2V Seattle, Wash. (King’s) 42 LeAnn Sheets F 6-2 Sr. 3V Olympia, Wash. (Tumwater) 44 Cheryl Sorenson F 6-0 So. 1V Milwaukie, Ore. (Clackamas) Head coach: June Daugherty Assistant coaches: Sunny Smallwood, Mike Daugherty, Shimmy Gray Athletic trainer: Carrie Graham