New Look in San Diego Basketball : USD, USIU Women’s Teams to Play for First in League

Thanks to two consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division I tournament, San Diego State has enjoyed quite a bit of time in the women’s basketball limelight.

The Aztecs, under coach Earnest Riggins, have been recognized as if they were the only women’s basketball program in San Diego.

But things are changing. The women’s teams at United States International University and the University of San Diego are having excellent seasons and are even stirring some interest among NCAA tournament officials.

The teams will meet at 7:30 tonight at Grossmont College with first place in the West Coast Athletic Conference on the line.

USIU is 17-5 overall and USD is 13-7. Both are 7-0 in conference. But, USIU Coach Cassie Macias says tonight’s matchup is more than just a game for first place.

“Every team always wants to gain notoriety, and this game gives both of our teams a chance,” Macias said. “You always want to be recognized at home first. It’s especially important for us because San Diego State is down this year. It’s a chance for people to realize that there are two other Division I schools in San Diego.”

The game will probably be decided by the tempo of play. USIU likes to run and USD is more comfortable with a patient style. The teams met earlier this season in a nonconference game, which USIU won, 80-78.

“They’re such a dynamic team,” USD Coach Kathy Marpe said. “They send five people down the floor. We’re going to have to run back on defense and try to hit the offensive boards at the same time.”

USIU, which has victories in seven straight games and eight of its last nine, is led by senior forward Toya DeCree who is averaging 19.4 points per game. Besides DeCree, the Lady Gulls start three freshmen and one sophomore.

“I know this is a big game, so I just hope we can handle it,” Macias said. “Actually, being young has helped us so far. We’re so young, we don’t seem to know what nervous means.”

USD is coming off a pair of weekend sweeps over San Francisco and Santa Clara. The Toreras are led by freshman guard Julie Evans, from Chula Vista’s Hilltop High School. Evans is averaging 18.9 points per game in conference.

“Julie has continued to amaze me,” Marpe said. “She and the rest of team has been getting better and better. If we can control them on the boards and keep them from running, I think we’ll have a good chance.”

Whereas Marpe is concerned with the rebounding, Macias is hoping that her team will be able to adjust to USD’s patient style.

“We have to do well in our half-court defense when they beat our pressure,” Macias said. “We know that they’ll put some pressure on us defensively, and we don’t want to end up putting them on the line.”

If they do, USD figures to take advantage. The Toreras are shooting 73% from the free-throw line this season. Against Nevada Reno earlier this year, they set an NCAA record by hitting all 24 of their free throws.

Meanwhile, the winner tonight will take over sole posession of first place, and for the Lady Gulls, a victory may heighten their chances of receiving an NCAA berth. Since this is the WCAC’s first season, the conference winner will not get an automatic spot in the NCAA tournament.

“Of course, the conference race is first in our mind, but you’re always thinking about the NCAA,” Macias said. “The NCAA has been in touch with me and said that they are looking into our chances of gaining an at-large berth. . . . There’s no question that this is a big game for us.”

In more ways than one.