To give you an idea of just how young the Chico State women’s basketball team is this season: during the 2018–19 campaign Myli Martinez was one of the youngest Wildcats on the roster. Three short years later, the junior guard is one of the team’s elder statespersons. Her veteran status has served Martinez and the ’Cats well in the 2021–22 season, as the Fairfield product has provided both leadership on the court and consistent scoring through the first five games. Her solid play makes Martinez the latest Wildcat of the Week.
Martinez turned in three double-digit scoring performances last week, as Chico State trounced Holy Names before losing a pair of close contests at the CCAA/GNAC Challenge in Monmouth, Oregon. Martinez averaged 13.3 points per game, connecting on six 3-point field goals and making 14-of-15 of her free throw attempts. She supplied the Wildcats with a lot more than scoring, though—Martinez also dished out nine assists over the three games, while hauling in six rebounds and grabbing six steals.
Tuesday against Holy Names, Martinez needed just 19 minutes of playing time to score a team-high 15 points and dole out three assists in the Wildcats’ 97-46 win over the Hawks.
Against Western Oregon Friday, Martinez hit three 3-pointers, collected five rebounds and four assists, and scored 13 points as the ’Cats fell to the Wolves 68-60. The following day, Martinez led Chico State with 12 points in the Wildcats’ 55-54 heartbreak loss to Saint Martin’s.
Through five games, Martinez ranks second on the Wildcats in scoring (11.6 points a game), 3-pointers (8), and steals (8), and is third in assists (13). She has hit a team-high 16 free throws and is shooting 94.1 percent from the foul line.
The non-conference schedule now concluded, Martinez and the Wildcats begin California Collegiate Athletic Conference play Saturday when they travel to Turlock to take on Stanislaus State. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
