Seven games into the 2013-14 season, Annie Ward had started just three games in her Chico State career. But on Dec. 21, the junior guard’s role as an off-the-bench point producer was changed when head coach Brian Fogel inserted Ward into the starting lineup. She’s been there ever since, and has been paying handsome dividends, culminating in a 17-point second half Saturday in the ’Cats’ 68-58 victory over Cal State L.A. Ward’s increased minutes – and production – earned the Lafayette native Wildcat of the Week honors.
In Chico State’s two home victories over the weekend, Ward averaged 12.0 points a contest, connecting on 10 of 19 shots from the field, including three from 3-point range. She also contributed a pair of rebounds, an assist and 38 minutes of tenacious defense as the Wildcats downed both Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A.
Friday against the Toros, Ward railed home a 3-pointer and was 3-for-6 shooting and finished with seven points in an 80-78 victory. Though she started slowly and was scoreless midway through Saturday’s matchup against Cal State L.A., Ward was nearly unstoppable in the second half, connecting on a pair of big 3-pointers among her seven field goals to rack up 17 points as Chico State posted a 10-point win over the visiting Golden Eagles.
Twelve games into the 2013-14 campaign, Ward is averaging a career-high 8.7 points a game and ranks eighth among California Collegiate Athletic Association players in field goal percentage (47.6 percent), 12th in 3-pointers (16) and 13th in 3-point field goal percentage (34.8 percent).
Chico State returns to action this weekend, hosting Cal State East Bay Friday and Cal State Monterey Bay Saturday at Acker Gym. Both games are slated to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
