When Hannah Womack was sidelined Dec. 8 after suffering a concussion, sophomore shooting specialist Annie Ward was asked to step in and take her place in the starting lineup. The unanticipated transition has been about as seamless as Head Coach Brian Fogel could have hoped for – on the heels of a career-high 25 points in Chico State’s big win over Seattle Pacific, the Lafayette native turned in a pair of solid performances to help the No. 20 Wildcats post victories over Notre Dame de Namur and Cal State Stanislaus. Her outstanding play makes Ward the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Ward averaged 10 points during the two contests, and was Chico State’s leading 3-point shooter, knocking down five treys in a combined 48 minutes of action. Ward also contributed five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked shot to the ’Cats’ productive week.
Wednesday against Notre Dame de Namur, Ward was one of three Wildcats to score in double figures, posting 11 points to go along with two rebounds and two steals in Chico State’s 69-46 win over the Argonauts. Ward connected from long distance three times Saturday versus Cal State Stanislaus, accounting for all nine of her points as the ’Cats improved to 8-0 with a 68-58 victory. Ward also chipped in with three rebounds and four assists against the Warriors.
Heading into the holiday break, Ward is averaging 7.9 points a game and ranks sixth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with 15 3-pointers on the season.
Ward and the Wildcats return to action after New Year’s, hosting Sonoma State and San Francisco State Jan. 4-5 in important CCAA conference matchups.
