May 21, 2005

STOCKTON, CALIF. -- University of the Pacific Head Women's Basketball Coach Craig Jackson has announced the signing of Nicole Goss (Bakersfield, Calif.) and Ashley Jones (Omaha, Neb.) for the 2005-06 women's basketball season. Goss and Jones join Jerise Freeman (Wichita, Kan.), Samantha Hart (Scotts Valley, Calif.), Sara Head (Keller, Texas), Wyvonne Jones (Wichita, Kan.), Renee Roberts (Lodi, Calif.) and Brittany White (Thornton, Colo.), who each previously signed national letters of intent with the Tigers.

Goss and Jones both come to Pacific as junior college transfers and both will have two years of athletic eligibility.

A 5-10 forward, Goss played in 25 games for Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, Calif. last season. Last season, Nicole scored 431 points, an average of 17.2 points per game. Goss also finished the season with 121 assists (4.8 per game), 116 steals (4.6 per game) and 248 rebounds (9.9 per game). Her stats ranked her in the top 25 of junior college players in California in all four categories. Goss's 4.6 steals per game topped all junior college players in California last season, while she was 13th in assists, 20th in scoring and 25th in rebounds. Following her sophomore season, Goss was named to the All-Western State Conference First Team.

"Nicole led the state of California in steals and was in the top 25 in scoring. She is a fast athletic well-rounded player," said Jackson. "She will give a very nice presence at the guard position."

Jones is a 5-8 point guard from Panola College in Carthage, Texas. A two-year starter for Panola, Jones has led the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCCA) in assists in each of the past two seasons. As a freshman, she had 296 assists in 30 games (9.9 assists per game). Last season as a sophomore, Jones had 281 assists (9.4 assists per game). Last season Panola led the NJCAA in scoring with 2,809 points in 30 games, an average of 93.63 points per game.

"Ashley led the country in assists on the leading scoring team in the country. She obviously is a great passer, with the ability to score as well." said Jackson. "We are excited to have her competing for the point guard position."