Every Monday, GoSwords.com will publish "This Week in 'Swords History presented by Big City Diner" which looks back at significant events and some of the memorable games that helped shape Chaminade University Athletics into what it is today.
Nov. 21, 2006: Women's Basketball Debuts
As a part of Pacific West Conference expansion, Chaminade University added women's basketball as an intercollegiate program for the first time.
On Nov. 21, the Silverswords played their first game at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Wash. Although they came out in the short end of an 80-45 setback, it was a valuable learning experience for the group.
Brittnee Fonnesbeck, who was just 18 days removed from completing her volleyball season and had two weeks of practice with the hoops team, put up a monster performance for the 'Swords. The senior post make 14-of-30 shots, pouring in a game-high 36 points, a record that stood for 11 years.
Desiree Staples pulled down a team-high six rebounds against the Wildcats.
Also in the game, freshman guard
Samantha Saito began what would be a standout career. With three assists in her college debut, Saito would later finish her career four years later as the program's all-time leading scorer. Her 354 career assists remains a program record.
