CHICO – The Chico State women’s basketball team has already accomplished a lot in the 2012-13 season: an 8-0 record (the best start for a Wildcat women’s team since 1973-74), a perfect December (the first time that’s happened in 35 years), the top spot in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) and a No. 14 national ranking in the USA Today Sports Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. But following a long holiday break, things now get really interesting for the ’Cats as they dive headlong into the heart of conference play this weekend, hosting Sonoma Sate Friday and San Francisco State Saturday at Acker Gym. Both games will tip off at 5:30 p.m. 

Though practice resumed a little over a week ago, the Wildcats have not faced an opponent since downing Cal State Stanislaus 68-58 Dec. 15 to remain the only undefeated team in the CCAA. Chico State enters the weekend 4-0 in conference play, holding a one-game lead on both Humboldt State and UC San Diego in the conference standings.

The ’Cats sport some impressive numbers to back up their perfect 8-0 record. Chico State has registered double-digit victories in all but two of its games this season, with its average margin of victory just under 14 points. The Wildcats are second among CCAA teams in scoring, averaging 72.1 points a game, and rank fourth in the conference in defense, allowing just 58.2 points per contest.

Chico State also ranks among the top CCAA teams in several other categories:
     • No. 1 in the conference in assists (18.2 a game)
     • No. 2 in 3-point field goal percentage (35.8 percent)
     • No. 2 in steals (14.6 a game)
     • No. 3 in field goal percentage (40.9 percent)
     • No. 4 in blocked shots (2.8 a game)
     • No. 5 in free throw percentage (69.8 percent)

Individually, junior guard Jazmine Miller is sixth in the CCAA in scoring (14.3 points a game) and is ranked in the conference’s top 10 in steals (tied for fifth, 2.0 a game), 3-point field goals (sixth, 17) and 3-point field goal percentage (seventh, 40.5 percent).


Junior forward McKenzie Dalthorp is 13th in the CCAA in scoring (11.8 points a game) and ranks fourth in the conference in free throw percentage (86.5 percent). Sophomore forward Analise Riezebos is seventh in the CCAA in rebounding (7.2 boards a night); senior forward Monnie Davidson-Mays ranked third in steals (2.9 a contest), while sophomore guard Annie Ward is eighth in the conference in both 3-pointers (15) and 3-point field goal percentage (39.5 percent).

Sonoma State, the Wildcats’ Friday night opponent, is 4-4 on the season and tied for fifth place with Cal State L.A., San Francisco State and Cal State San Bernardino with a 2-2 conference mark. The Seawolves come into the weekend riding a modest two-game winning streak; their last game was a 76-49 victory over Dominican University on Dec. 19.

Offensively, Sonoma State is sixth among CCAA teams, averaging 63.1 points a game, while ranking eighth in team defense, allowing 63.6 points per contest. The Seawolves have proven to be a good-shooting team from inside the 3-point line, ranking second in the conference in free throw percentage (78.2 percent) and fourth in field goal percentage (40.9 percent). Sonoma State is also fifth in the CCAA in blocks (2.5 a game).

Taylor Vigil is the Seawolves’ top performer so far this season. The senior guard leads the team in scoring and rebounding (10.4 and 5.5 a game, respectively). Junior guard/forward Kristina Fahey contributes 8.4 points a game and is Sonoma State’s top 3-point shooter, while senior center Elizabeth Day averages just under seven points and five rebounds a night. Senior guard Alysa Ito is second in the CCAA in assists, averaging 4.9 dishes per contest.

Though Friday will be the initial meeting this season between the Wildcats and Seawolves, this will be Sonoma State’s second trip to Chico. The two teams got a good look at one another Dec. 7-8 at the Coslet Classic-CCAA/GNAC Challenge – while the ’Cats won their two tournament contests, the Seawolves earned a split at Acker Gym, highlighted by an upset win over then-No. 6 ranked Western Washington.

The Wildcats and Seawolves split their two regular season meetings in 2011-12, with each team winning on the other’s home floor. Chico State has won 12 of the last 15 contests with Sonoma State and leads the all-time series, 58-18.

San Francisco State, which comes to Chico following a Friday night contest in Turlock against Cal State Stanislaus, has won its last three games to enter the weekend 5-3 and claiming a share of fifth place in the CCAA with a 2-2 conference mark. The Gators haven’t played since Dec. 14, when they rocked Notre Dame de Namur by a final of 68-46.

While San Francisco State doesn’t possess a high-powered offense, it is stingy on the defensive end. The Gators rank eighth among CCAA teams in scoring (61.2 points a game), but has allowed just 53.2 points a game – third-lowest in the conference and 26th in the nation. San Francisco State tops the conference in steals, averaging 14.6 swipes a contest.

The Gators are led by sophomore forward Farrah Shokoor, who is among the CCAA leaders in scoring (seventh, 13.6 points per game) and rebounds (sixth, 6.0 a contest). She leads the conference with 4.4 steals per game and is ranked third in the nation in thefts.

Shokoor has a talented supporting cast, including long-range shooter Angela Van Sickel – the junior guard averages 12.5 points per game and is tied for second in the CCAA with 18 3-pointers. Senior guard Nicole Hicks is also a major key to the Gators’ attack, averaging 11.8 points and 5.5 rebounds a game.

Chico State swept the season series with San Francisco State in 2011-12, and has won 17 of the last 18 meetings dating back to 2004. All-time, the Wildcats hold a 65-20 edge over the Gators.

Fans not able to attend the games in person can follow the action locally on Newstalk 1290 AM KPAY, as well as online via the Wildcat Athletics website – Mike Baca and Mike Wessels will provide the play-by-play. Live Stats for both Friday and Saturday’s contests will also be available.

CLICK HERE for Friday's Chico State-Sonoma State live play-by-play

CLICK HERE for Live Stats