1992 West Coast Conference Champions
Overall Record: 19-10 | WCC Record: 10-4
Co-Head Coaches: Bill Nepfel & Mary Hile-Nepfel
Overall Record: 19-10 WCC Record: 10-4
All-WCC Team: Joy Boyenga, Marlene Henderson
Top Scorer: Marlene Henderson (14.7) Top Rebounder: Marlene Henderson (10.3)
USF Hall-of-Famers: Marlene Henderson, Mary Hile-Nepfel
On March 14, 1992, the USF women’s basketball team made history as they played in the inaugural West Coast Conference championship game. The game marked the first time that the WCC would be sending an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. It was also the closest a USF women’s team had come to postseason play since NCAA women’s action started in 1982.
Although the Dons lost that game 67-62, in a hard fought battle with Santa Clara, the defeat in no way overshadowed what was one of the most memorable seasons in the history of women’s basketball. USF forged its success on a balanced scoring attack and a tenacious defense, which ranked second in the nation, allowing only 57.2 points per game.
Senior center Marlene Henderson captured team MVP honors and was named first-team all-WCC for the second consecutive season after leading USF in both scoring and rebounding. Senior Forward Joy Boyenga established new USF records for three-pointers in a game (6-7 vs. Texas Tech), season (40) and career (78). Boyenga was a threat all over the floor, ending her Dons career among the top-10 in eight different statistical categories.
USF’s non-conference season included wins over Montana State and Oregon State, a last-second loss at USC (50-49), and tough defeats at the Utah Classic to the Lady Utes and perennial power Auburn. USF rolled through the WCC with a 10-4 record, and shared the WCC regular season title with Santa Clara. The Dons then beat Portland 62-59 in overtime, in the opening round of the WCC postseason tournament.
Did You Know? The 1991-92 Dons played a grueling schedule. They played nine games against teams that had advanced to one or both of the previous two NCAA tournaments. On December 21, USF routed 1991 NCAA tournament entrant Appalachian State 86-56.
They Said It: “The WCC has grown by leaps and bounds. It has produced some top-notch players and some very good teams. The growth of the conference is most evident in the strength of the teams’ schedules and in the quality of the recruiting classes the past few years. Now that the WCC has an automatic bid, the conference has the ability to make a name for itself on a national level,” USF Co-Head Coach Bill Nepfel.
