CHICO – While calendars are turning from 2013 to 2014, the Chico State women's basketball team is hoping for a change in fortune. The Wildcats, ranked No. 9 in the country just five weeks ago, fell on hard times following Thanksgiving, losing three of four and tumbling to the lower reaches of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings. With the holiday break behind them, the well-rested 'Cats return to action this weekend, hitting the road to take on conference foes Cal State San Bernardino Friday and UC San Diego Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
Where they stand: Chico State is 5-3 overall and tied for eighth place in the CCAA with a 1-3 conference record. The Wildcats' attempt at notching their second straight victory and heading into the holiday break on a winning note came up short Dec. 21 at Acker Gym, losing in overtime to Cal State Stanislaus 83-82.
On the road: The 'Cats are 4-2 away from Acker Gym so far this season, but have lost two of three road games in conference play. Chico State's last road tilt was a 65-58 victory Dec. 7 at Sonoma State.
Team Stats: The Wildcats rank fourth in the CCAA in offense, averaging 74 points a game, and are fifth among the 12 conference teams in defense, allowing 64 points a contest. Chico State is the top CCAA team in field goal percentage (45.2 percent) and assists (16.2 a game). The 'Cats are also third in the conference in steals (9.8 per game) and fifth in 3-point field goals (46).
Individual achievements: Several Chico State players are among the top CCAA players in a number of statistical categories:
- Analise Riezebos (55.4 percent), McKenzie Dalthorp (53.3 percent) and Annie Ward (53.1 percent) are the top three shooters among CCAA players. Combined, the trio has connected on 54 percent of their field goal attempts, while the rest of the Wildcats are averaging a combined 38.9 percent from the field.
- Jazmine Miller (15), Hannah Womack (13) and Ward (13) are each ranked in the CCAA top 10 in 3-point field goals. Ward is second in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage (44.8 percent), while Miller, the Wildcats' leading scorer (12.9 points per game), is third in the CCAA in free throw percentage (87 percent).
- Courtney Hamilton tops the CCAA (and is third in the nation) in the assists, averaging 7.4 a game. She's also second in the conference in steals (2.5 a game), fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.1) and fourth in blocked shots (1.1 a contest).
- Womack is second in the CCAA (and 34th among Division II players nationwide) in free throw percentage (88.9 percent).
- Riezebos is tied for ninth in the CCAA in rebounding, averaging 7.8 boards a contest.
Cal State San Bernardino: Head Coach Renee Jimenez, in her first season at the helm after guiding the Cal State Monterey Bay program for five years, has seen her Coyotes stumble to a 1-6 start in 2013-14, and is currently tied for 11th in the CCAA with an 0-4 conference mark. San Bernardino enters Friday's contest with the Wildcats looking to snap a two-game losing streak; the Coyotes most recent setback was a 67-55 defeat Dec. 22 at the hands of UC San Diego. San Bernardino's lone win of the season was a 60-52 victory Nov. 30 over Metro State.
At home: The Coyotes are 0-1 this season at Coussoulis Arena, dropping a 70-65 decision Nov. 17 to UC San Diego.
Team stats: San Bernardino is dead last in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 56.6 points a game, but the Coyotes are in the middle of the pack defensively, ranking seventh by allowing opponents 65.9 points a contest. San Bernardino has not shown itself to be much of a 3-point shooting team, knocking down just 18 treys in its first seven games and averaging a collective 16.8 percent shooting from behind the arc.
Coyotes to watch: Senior guard Taylor Gipson is San Bernardino's leading scorer, averaging 14 points a game while handing out a team-high 2.5 assists per contest. Senior forward Jazzmyn Davis is averaging 8.6 points a game and is seventh in the CCAA in rebounding, averaging 8.0 boards a contest.
Head to head: Chico State took both ends of the season series in 2012-13 and have won the last four meetings with the Coyotes. All-time, the Wildcats hold a 23-11 advantage.
UC San Diego: The Tritons, picked to finish fourth in the CCAA preseason coaches' poll, are off to a 6-2 start under second year head coach Heidi VanDerveer, and in a five-way tie for second place in the conference with a 3-1 record in CCAA play. UC San Diego opened the season by winning five of its first six contests, and was victorious in its last outing Dec. 22, beating Cal State San Bernardino 67-55.
At home: The Tritons are 3-0 at RIMAC Arena this season, and have not lost to Chico State on their home floor since Dec. 1, 2006.
Team stats: UC San Diego is ninth in the CCAA in scoring (65.5 points a game), but is ranked third defensively, surrendering just 63 points a contest. The Tritons have connected for 53 3-pointers in their first eight games – fourth-most among conference teams – and are fourth in the CCAA in 3-point field goal percentage (33.8 percent).
Tritons to watch: Junior guard Miranda Seto leads UC San Diego in scoring, averaging 14 points a game, while senior guard Megan Perry contributes 12.6 points a contest and is fourth in the CCAA with 18 3-point field goals. Senior forward Erin Dautremont – a First Team All-CCAA selection in 2012-13 – is averaging 12 points and 6.9 rebounds a game.
Head to head: UC San Diego won both meetings with the Wildcats last season and has beaten Chico State eight straight times since the 2010-11 campaign. The Tritons hold a 20-11 lead in the all-time series between the two teams.
Coverage: Both Chico State games will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM, and simulcast on the internet via the Wildcat Athletics website, with Mike Baca handling the play-by-play. Live Stats will be available for both contests, with streaming video available for Saturday's UC San Diego game.
