Feb. 17, 2005

SAN BRUNO, Calif. - With just a couple of weeks remaining in the regular season, every game is becoming increasingly important. This week's action is highlighted by a pair of men's telecasts and one women's televised game. On the men's side, Gonzaga goes for its fifth consecutive regular season title when the Bulldogs host the San Francisco Dons for an afternoon showdown on Saturday, Feb. 18 on ABC (regional coverage). Later that evening, the Saint Mary's Gaels host the Pepperdine Waves on Comcast SportsNet. On the women's side, USF hosts the Portland Pilots in a contest televised live on FSN Bay Area and Northwest.

Saturday, February 19, 2005
San Francisco Dons (13-10, 4-6) at Gonzaga Bulldogs (19-4, 9-2)
Location: Spokane, Wash. - McCarthey Athletic Center
Time: 3:00 PM (PST)
Television: ABC (regional coverage)
Preview: If Gonzaga is able to defeat San Diego earlier in the week, the Bulldogs will be looking to clinch at least a share of the WCC regular season title with a win over the Dons. In addition, the Zags will be looking to exact revenge on USF for a 73-70 setback at War Memorial Gymnasium earlier this season. The Dons will also have revenge on their minds. Last season, the Dons traveled to Spokane only to be sent home with an embarrassing 92-50 loss. There will be plenty of stars on display as USF's John Cox paces the league in scoring, while Gonzaga's Adam Morrison and Ronny Turiaf are right behind him, ranking third and fourth in scoring, respectively.
San Francisco's Key Players: John Cox - 20.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg; Tyrone Riley - 14.8 ppg, 8.7 rpg.
Gonzaga's Key Players: Ronny Turiaf - 16.6 ppg, 9.1 rpg; Adam Morrison - 18.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg.

Women's Basketball
Saturday, February 19, 2005
San Francisco Dons (11-12, 5-5) at Portland Pilots (6-18, 1-10)
Location: San Francisco, Calif. - War Memorial Gym
Time: 4:00 PM (PST)
Television: FSN Bay Area, Northwest
Preview: San Francisco will look to avenge a 57-52 loss at Portland on Jan. 22. The Dons have won four straight at War Memorial Gym and hold a 4-1 mark during WCC play on their own floor. USF is paced in scoring by freshman Dominique Carter who 14.9 point per game, third best in the WCC. Portland will attempt to snap a five-game losing skid that hasn't seen them win a game since its victory over USF. The Pilots' Amy Botto has scored in double-figures in 14 of the last 17 games and averages 16.4 points during conference contests. Jamie Medley recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 18 points and 12 rebounds against Loyola Marymount. The Pilots have suffered through season ending injuries to guards Hanna Seltzer and Amanda Afa'ese and have been without center Ashlee Orndorff for the last six games.
San Francisco's Key Players: Dominique Carter - 14.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg; Mary Jane Krueger - 10.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg.
Portland's Key Players: Jamie Medley - 11.7 ppg, 8.2 rpg; Amy Botto - 12.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg.

Saturday, February 19, 2005
Pepperdine Waves (14-12, 4-7) at Saint Mary's (20-7, 7-3)
Location: Moraga, Calif. - McKeon Pavilion
Time: 7:05 PM (PST)
Television: Comcast SportsNet
Preview: The Gaels look to rebound from a loss to Santa Clara when they host Loyola Marymount and Pepperdine this week. Saint Mary's continues to make a case for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid and two more wins this week would only strengthen the Gaels' argument. Pepperdine has the talent to play the role of spoiler. When the Waves are on the same page, they can beat almost anyone in the country, just ask Wisconsin. The Gaels' Daniel Kickert is coming off of a career-high 30 points in SMC's setback versus Santa Clara, while Pepperdine has received a boost from freshman center Russell Hicks. Hicks scored a career-high 14 points to go along with a career-high eight blocked shots and six rebounds in the Waves' win over Portland.
Pepperdine's Key Players: Glen McGowan - 19.1 ppg, 7.7 rpg; Alex Acker - 15.8 ppg, 6.5 rpg.
Saint Mary's Key Players: Daniel Kickert - 15.4 ppg, 6.7 rpg; Paul Marigney - 14.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg.