Radio: THE TEAM 93.9 FM (Chris Burgin and Randy Clemens)
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Live Video: www.BigSouthSports.com
Opening Tip
Coastal Carolina returns to Kimbel Arena after playing its last four games on the road, finishing with a 1-3 record. The Chanticleers will look to get back in the win column on their home court where they are 6-2 this season. Today’s contest will be the first meeting between the two squads as Gardner-Webb joined the conference last summer. The Bulldogs enter the game 11-9 overall and 3-4 in the Big South.
Scouting the Bulldogs (10-9, 3-4 Big South)
Gardner-Webb is new to the Big South Conference this season and has posted a 3-4 record in the league and is 11-9 overall. The Bulldogs lost their first four conference games, but are back on track winning the last three league games. Gardner-Webb is coming off of a mid-week meeting with non-conference opponent Appalachian State, which they won 77-62 Wednesday night, and bring a four-game win streak into today’s contest. Linda Povilonyte leads the team in scoring averaging 12 points per game and is shooting 79.4 percent at the free throw line. Margaret Roundtree is the most efficient shooter for the Bulldogs, averaging 11.9 points a game, while shooting 50.3 percent from the floor. Dominique Hudson runs Gardner-Webb’s offense, dishing out 88 assists on the season. Teonika Webb was named Big South Freshman of the Week Jan. 26, after helping the Bulldogs to a 54-53 win at Winthrop (Jan. 24).
Series Record: First meeting
Today’s contest marks the start of another conference rivalry between Coastal Carolina and Gardner-Webb as the two squads have never met before. The Bulldogs joined the Big South July 1, 2008 after spending the past six years in the Atlantic Sun Conference.
CHANTICLEER NOTEBOOK
Mixing It Up
Head Coach Alan LeForce and his staff has shuffled through nine starting lineups this season due to illness and injury. The Chanticleers have used nine of the 12 players available to mix up the starting five. Coastal Carolina’s most successful unit came at the start of the season when juniors Amanda Stull and Devin Rivers teamed up with sophomores Kate Jasinski, Sydnei Moss and Jessica Noll for a 3-0 record.
Nothing Was Free
Coastal Carolina did not earn one trip to the free throw line in the first half against Liberty (Jan. 26). It was the first time this season Coastal Carolina was held off the charity stripe in a half, but ended the game 4-for-8 at the foul line. Against Winthrop (Jan. 17), the Chanticleers only fouled five times in 40 minutes of play and the Lady Eagles never got to the free throw line in the game.
Moss Hits Stride in Conference Play
Sophomore Sydnei Moss is averaging 13.0 points and 5.8 boards per contest in Big South action. Moss led the team in scoring coming off the bench with 18 points and added nine rebounds in the Big South opening win over UNC Asheville (Jan. 3). The North Augusta native then scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds against High Point (Jan. 5), followed by 11 points and six rebounds at Charleston Southern (Jan. 10). Moss recorded her fifth-straight game in double figures scoring 16 points at Radford (Jan. 24).
Grambley Picks Up Offense
After scoring seven points in two Big South games, redshirt freshman Courtney Grambley netted a career-high 14 points against Winthrop (Jan. 17) in her third league game. Grambley came off the bench five minutes into the first half to spark the Chanticleer offense with eight points in the opening frame. Grambley finished the game shooting 50 percent from the field going 5-for-10. Against Liberty (Jan. 26),Grambley scored a team-high 10 points in the first half and was the only Chant to record double figures against the Lady Flames.
Defense Gets it Done
In Coastal Carolina’s 10 wins this season, the Chants have limited their opponents to 45.5 points per game and their strong defense has forced teams to shoot 31.1 percent from the field. When Coastal Carolina is on the losing end, it has surrendered 70.3 points per game to its competition. On the glass, Coastal Carolina holds a 422-383 advantage over opponents when it is victorious, but slips behind 303-220 on boards in its seven losses. They have also generated 210 opponent turnovers, posted 34 blocks and average 10.3 steals per game in 10 victories this season.
Getting to the Line
The Chants are shooting 67.4 percent from the free throw line to sit in second place in the Big South. However, the significant number here is Coastal Carolina has gone to the line 385 times, the most in the conference. The Chanticleers were sent to the foul line 34 times (24-of-34) at Alabama State (Dec. 29) and went 25-for-29 at Wofford (Nov. 19). Winthrop leads the league shooting 67.8 percent at the foul line.
First Impressions Count!
Coastal Carolina is 9-2 when leading at the half. The Chanticleers are averaging 29.9 points in the first half and limiting opponents to 20 points in the opening frame in the 11 games. The Chanticleers have edged out opponents by one point in the first half twice, but gave up the lead on both occasions (at College of Charleston 32-31, vs. High Point 37-36). On the season, Coastal Carolina is averaging 26.5 points in the first 20 minutes, while shooting 34.9 percent from the floor.
Sidelined for the Season
Junior Lori Whitaker is expected to redshirt this season, while transfer Lindsey Waters will sit out due to NCAA transfer rules. Redshirt junior Elizabeth Weaver played five games this year, but will miss the rest of the season due to injury.
It’s Block and White
Sophomore Katie White tied a Coastal Carolina program record for most blocks in a single game, tallying seven against UNC Wilmington (Dec. 18). White’s defensive prowess led her to five first half blocks, and she rejected two more shots in the second frame. The 6-3 center has a team-leading 35 blocks this season, and is second in the league averaging 2.2 per game.
30 Minutes and Counting...
In six Big South games, Coastal Carolina has three players averaging more than 30 minutes. Junior Kendra Reynolds averages 34 minutes and classmate Amanda Stull is playing 33.8 minutes, while sophomore Kate Jasinski has earned 32 minutes a game.
Kimbel For Sixth Man of the Year?
Coastal Carolina has thrived on its home court this season, playing to a 6-2 record in Kimbel Arena. The Chanticleers are shooting 40.2 percent from the field at home, averaging 63.1 points a game and holding opponents to 48.5 points on 33.8 percent shooting. Coastal Carolina has outscored opponents by an average of 14.6 points.
Road Testing the Chants
Coastal Carolina is 3-7 on the road earning its third win with a 51-34 victory at Winthrop (Jan. 17).The Chanticleers have been outscored 64-53.1 and allowed opponents to grab 43.7 rebounds, while collecting only 32.5 boards in the seven losses. The scoring margin road is -10.9, while the rebounding margin sits at -11.2 in 10 road games.
Stull Accepting Charity
Junior Amanda Stull has gone to the free throw line 102 times in 19 games. Stull earned her way to line 18 times at AlabamaState (Dec. 29), where she converted 13 freebies. On the season, she is second in the Big South shooting 79.4 percent from the charity stripe. The Rushville native has gone 81-for-102, which includes two 8-for-8 performances against Wofford (Nov. 19) and Southern Virginia (Nov. 30), and a 7-for-7 outing against UNC Asheville (Jan. 3).
Rookie Roundup
Even as a junior, Kendra Reynolds is still a rookie for the Chanticleers, but Reynolds is playing as a veteran. Reynolds has picked up three double-doubles and set a personal best of 18 points at Charleston Southern (Jan. 10). Freshmen Olivia Irick and Taylor Epley have earned playing time as well. Irick got her first career start at Radford (Jan. 24) and is averaging 3.9 points a game and has knocked down 10 three-pointers, while Epley is adding 1.7 rebounds per contest.
S-E-N-I-O-R-S?
Coastal Carolina’s 2008-09 roster lists no seniors. This is the first time in Head Coach Alan LeForce’s 12 years he will be missing that senior leadership. However, the 2008-09 squad is rich in talent and experience. LeForce believes this is one of the most talented groups he and his staff have ever assembled at Coastal Carolina.
Up Next
PRESBYTERIAN
2008-09 Record: 2-15, 0-6 Big South
Date: Monday, Feb. 2, 2009
Time: 7 p.m.
At: Kimbel Arena - Conway, S.C.
Series Record: Coastal Carolina leads 10-4
Presbyterian at a Glance: The Blue Hose started the season 2-3, but have not been able to record a win in the past 12 games and continue to search for their first Big South victory of the season. Amanda Mills and Kaitlyn Moore have provided much of the Blue Hose’s offense this year averaging 11.4 and 11 points per game, respectively.
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