Back in October, the Chico State women’s basketball team got a taste of what India Starr could provide to its offensive attack when the talented freshman guard connected for six 3-pointers and scored 20 points in an exhibition game against Division I University of San Francisco. Sunday against Stanislaus State, Starr reminded the ’Cats of her long-distance prowess, hitting four treys while scoring a career-high 15 points. Her 3-point heroics in Chico State’s win over the Warriors make Starr her the latest Wildcat of the Week.
All told, Starr finished Sunday’s contest shooting 4-for-7 beyond the 3-point arc, hitting three of her four free throw attempts, and dishing out a pair of assists. Two of her treys came in the pivotal fourth quarter, when the Wildcats erased a nine-point deficit to outscore Stanislaus 25-7 over the final eight minutes to win going away. The ’Cats’ 67-58 victory not only evened Chico State’s season record at 5-5, but also handed the Warriors their first conference loss of the season.
Starr started slowly, hitting the first of her four 3-pointers in the second quarter. In the second half, the San Diego native caught fire, draining 3-of-4 from downtown. In the decisive fourth quarter, Starr combined with teammate Morgan Mathis to bury five three pointers in an electrifying three minute span, leading a 21-7 Wildcats run on the way to a nine-point victory.
So far this season, Starr is averaging 4.6 points a contest, and though she’s played just eight games, is tied for fourth on the Wildcats with eight 3-pointers.
Starr and the Wildcats are on the road this week, taking on Cal State East Bay Thursday in Hayward (5:30 p.m. tip-off) before traveling to Southern California to face Cal State Dominguez Hills Saturday at 1 p.m.