CHICO – The Chico State women’s basketball team has gotten the 2012-13 season off to a positive start with a pair of road wins, including its California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener against Cal State Stanislaus. After a nine-day break, the Wildcats return to action this weekend, facing Cal Poly Pomona Friday and Humboldt State Saturday in key conference clashes at Acker Gym. Both games tip off at 5:30 p.m.
Chico State is 2-0 on the young season, and share first place with Cal State L.A. and Humboldt State in the CCAA standings. The Wildcats’ last outing was a convincing 78-42 victory over Stanislaus Nov. 20 in Turlock, which saw five ’Cats score in double figures while holding the Warriors to just 26 percent shooting on the night.
The Wildcats rank second among CCAA teams in scoring, averaging 72 points a game. Chico State is also second in the conference in assists (15.5 a night) and fourth in rebounding (44.5 a game). Defensively, the ’Cats are second in the CCAA, holding opponents to 52.5 points per game.
McKenzie Dalthorp enters this weekend as Chico State’s leading scorer, averaging 15.5 points per game. Jazmine Miller, averaging 12.5 a contest, has connected on five of her 11 3-point attempts, while Analise Riezebos is ranked second in the CCAA in rebounding (9.0 a game). Monnie Davidson-Mays has also put up impressive numbers over the first two contests, averaging 10 points and seven rebounds a game.
Cal Poly Pomona, Chico State’s Friday night opponent, is 1-2 overall and 0-1 in CCAA play. After splitting a pair of non-conference games to open the season (an 80-75 overtime loss at Dixie State Nov. 12 and a 72-61 home victory over Fresno Pacific), the Broncos were tripped up by Humboldt State 48-45 last Saturday in Arcata.
Pomona finished the 2011-12 season 19-9 and earned a trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament, but are playing this year without all-conference standouts Megan Ford and Sarah Semenero.
This season’s edition of the Broncos comes to Chico averaging 64 points a game – fifth best in the CCAA – and is sixth in the conference in defense, giving up 63 points a contest. Pomona is also tied for second in blocked shots (3.0 a game), third in steals (12.7 a night) and fifth in rebounds (42.3 per contest).
The Broncos are led by senior forward Ashley Boggs, a transfer from Division I USF (12.3 points, a CCAA-best 9.7 rebounds a game) and junior guard J.J. Judge (12.3 points, 8.3 boards a contest).
Cal Poly Pomona swept the season series with the Wildcats in 2011-12 – in fact, Broncos head coach Danelle Bishop has not lost to Chico State in her two years at the helm. Pomona, which has won six of the last seven meetings, holds a 21-19 edge over the ’Cats in the all-time series between the two teams.
Humboldt State, who comes to Chico following its Friday matchup in Turlock against Cal State Stanislaus, enters the weekend 4-2 on the season and with a share of the top spot in the CCAA. Last week the Lumberjacks beat Hope International 64-55 before opening up conference play with a 48-45 home victory over Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday.
Humboldt State, coached by former Wildcat great Joddie (Vossler) Gleason, was 19-8 last season, finishing fourth in the conference, but thanks to a first round loss to Chico State in the CCAA Championship Tournament, missed out on an NCAA Championship Tournament berth.
The Lumberjacks are ninth in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 62.3 points a game, and sixth in team defense, allowing 63.2 points a contest. Humboldt State is tied for second in blocked shots (3.0 a game) and ranks fifth in the conference in assists (13.2 per night) and steals (10.5 a contest).
The ’Jacks are led by senior guard Lisa Petty, a 2011-12 All-CCAA First Team selection. Petty is averaging 17 points, 7.3 rebounds and nearly four assists a game, connecting 11 times from 3-point range. Senior guard Caitie Richards is Humboldt’s other long-distance shooting threat, draining 14 3-pointers while averaging 13.3 points and close to four assists a contest. Junior forward Kelly Kime contributes 10.7 points and six rebounds to the Lumberjacks’ attack.
Chico State won two of the three meetings with Humboldt State last season, and the last time the two teams met at Acker Gym, the Wildcats rolled up a big 90-67 victory Jan. 28. All-time, the ’Cats hold a 64-20 edge over the Lumberjacks.
Both Friday and Saturday’s games will be broadcast live, with Mike Baca providing the play-by-play. You can hear the action locally on KPAY 1290 AM and on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats for each contest will also be available online.
CLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal Poly Pomona Live Stats
CLICK HERE for Chico State-Cal Poly Pomona live online broadcast
