Zhane Duckett is beginning to make a habit of out of being named the Wildcat of the Week. Having already received the award twice this month, the Chico State women’s basketball team’s talented guard concluded a sensational January with two more sterling performances, beating her former team with a last-second shot, then leading the ’Cats to a win that knocked No. 4-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills from the ranks of the unbeaten. Her outstanding efforts made the choice extremely easy—Zhane Duckett is, once again, the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Duckett averaged 15 points over the two games against Cal State East Bay and Cal State Dominguez Hills, shooting 68.8 percent from the field (11-for-16) while doling out a combined 14 assists, grabbing seven steals, and hauling in six rebounds to help Chico State extend its current winning streak to five straight. The two victories also raised the Wildcats to 14-6 on the season and 10-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
Thursday against Cal State East Bay, Duckett scored a season-high 19 points, dished out five assists, and hit the game-winning layup with two seconds remaining in the Wildcats’ 66-64 win over her old team, the Pioneers. Saturday, Duckett connected on both of her 3-point attempts on the way to scoring 11 points, posting nine assists, and hauling in five rebounds as Chico State handed Dominguez Hills its first loss of the season, 73-72.
Duckett is averaging 10.2 points on the season and leads the Wildcats in field goal percentage (44.9 percent) and steals (38). Her team-high 76 assists rank second among all conference players.
With a perfect 4-0 road trip behind them, Duckett and the Wildcats are back at Acker Gym for a two-game home stand that features Chico State hosting Sonoma State Thursday at 5:30 p.m., and Cal Poly Humboldt Saturday at 1 p.m.
