Chico State Athletics

For the better part of three seasons, Whitney Branham has been at or near the top of the Chico State women's basketball team's scoring leaders. The junior guard continues to supply the bulk of the 'Cats' offense in 2016-17, as she demonstrated by closing out the calendar year with her best back-to-back performances of the season. Branham's combined 42 points were key in wins over Cal State Monterey Bay and San Francisco State, and for her efforts the Stevenson Ranch product is the latest Wildcat of the Week.
 
Branham averaged 21 points over the two games, connecting on 14-of-21 from the field (67 percent), 6-for-11 (54.5 percent) from beyond the 3-point arc and 8-of-10 (80.0 percent) from the free throw line, while also pulling down a dozen rebounds to help Chico State extend its winning streak to three straight and improve to 8-4 on the season.
 
Branham missed just three of 11 shots Thursday on the way to a 23-point performance as Chico State doubled up Cal State Monterey Bay 76-38, then led the Wildcats with 19 points and seven rebounds in a 76-48 New Years Eve victory over San Francisco State.
 
Branham is currently the CCAA's leading scorer, averaging 16.7 points a contest, and is the conference's top free throw shooter (89.1 percent). She also ranks third in the CCAA with 29 3-point baskets.
 
Branham and the Wildcats are on the road Friday for their first game in 2017, facing Cal State San Bernardino at Coussoulis Arena.