Judging by the statistics, as goes McKena Barker, so go the Wildcats. The talented redshirt freshman is averaging nearly a double-double over the last five games, and not coincidentally, the Chico State women's basketball team has won four of them to vault back into postseason contention. Saturday against Stanislaus State, Barker saved her best for the pivotal fourth quarter, scoring eight points in the final six-and-a-half minutes to help the 'Cats down the Warriors 62-52. Barker's clutch play in crunch time makes her the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Barker finished the game with a team-high 15 points – just two off her career high – while also hauling in nine rebounds, dishing out three assists, blocking two shots and posting a pair of steals. She hit five of her seven field goal attempts and was 5-for-7 from the foul line.
Saturday's contest was close with 6:58 to play, with Chico State clinging to a 44-39 lead. Barker promptly stepped up to deliver two layups, feed Whitney Branham and Natalie Valenzuela for a pair of key buckets, then helped ice the game away by making four straight free throws in the final minute to give the Wildcats the win over the Warriors.
For the season, Barker is averaging 9.1 points and 7.6 boards a contest. She currently ranks fifth among California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) players in rebounding.
Barker and the Wildcats are back home this weekend for two important CCAA matchups. Friday Chico State hosts Cal State East Bay, followed by a Saturday showdown against Cal State Monterey Bay.
