PACWEST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WEEKLY NOTEBOOK
IRVINE, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific opened the 2018-19 season with a pair of wins in Pomona, beating Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona to lead a strong start for PacWest schools in non-conference play.
In the D2SIDA Preseason West Region Rankings, Azusa Pacific was picked No. 3 ahead of No. 5 Cal Poly Pomona, and the Cougars justified that ranking with a 74-70 road victory against the Broncos on Saturday.
Fresno Pacific also got off to a fast start in the new season, earning its first win in a season-opener since 2011. The Sunbirds defeated Seattle Pacific, which is consistently one of the best teams in the region. The next day, the Sunbirds fell on a late basketball by Western Washington, which was picked ninth in the West Region preseason poll.
Academy of Art split its first weekend of the season after earning a win against Western Oregon.
Brianna Cates scored 23 points in the Urban Knights’ victory and
Ines Medina added an 11-points, 13-rebound double-double off the bench.
Dominican won its second home game of the season against Sonoma State.
Natalie Diaz had 19 points, 9 rebounds and six assists in the victory.
This week’s play will begin with Point Loma hosting Simon Fraser, which reached the NCAA West Regional final in 2017. Azusa Pacific will travel to Seattle to face Seattle Pacific and Western Washington, while Dominican stays home to face two more CCAA teams.
Weekly awards for the week of Nov. 1-11
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jessica Malazarte, Fresno Pacific
G, So., 5-2 -- Carson, Calif.
Malazarte helped Fresno Pacific earn its first season-opening victory since 2011 on Friday, beating Seattle Pacific. The sophomore knocked down seven shots from beyond the arc in the victory, finishing with 32 points, five assists and five rebounds. On the week, Malazarte finished with 45 points after scoring another 12 against Western Washington.
DEFENDER OF THE WEEK
Savanna Hanson, Azusa Pacific
G, Jr., 6-0 -- Edmonds, Wash.
Hanson helped Azusa Pacific become the first team to reach two wins in the PacWest this season, including a win over the fifth-ranked team in the West Region Cal Poly Pomona. Hanson averaged 9.5 rebounds, 2 steals and 1 block in the two victories, ranking in the top 10 in the conference in all three categories. She also had 30 points and five assists.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Lauryn Hippolite, Hawai`i Pacific
G, Fr., 5-7 -- Nelson, New Zealand
Hippolite averaged 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in the first weekend of the season against Cal State San Marcos and UC San Diego. The freshman went 7 for 11 from beyond the arc on the week and scored 12 points against UC San Diego.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Chanel Stuart, Academy of Art
G, Fr., 5-8 -- Elk Grove, Calif.
Stuart played in nearly every minute of the first weekend of the season as she helped the Urban Knights earn their first win of the season against Western Oregon. Stuart filled up the stat sheet with 24 points, 17 rebounds, 9 steals and six assists.