CHICO – After playing eight of its first 10 games and five of six California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) contests on the road, the Chico State women's basketball team is more than ready for some serious home cooking. The Wildcats, who have struggled with inconsistent play over the past month, can just about pull up permanent residency on their home floor, as eight of their next 10 games are scheduled for the friendly confines of Acker Gym. This Friday the 'Cats host conference foe Cal State Dominguez Hills, with another CCAA powerhouse, Cal State L.A., visiting Saturday. Both games are set to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
Where they stand: Chico State takes a 6-4 record into the weekend, but the Wildcats have dropped four of their last six decisions after starting the season with four straight wins. As a result, the 'Cats have fallen out of the latest USA Today Top 25 Coaches' Poll, and are tied with Humboldt State for eighth place in the CCAA with a 2-4 conference mark. Last weekend Chico State split its two road games in Southern California, beating Cal State San Bernardino 67-64 Friday before falling the following night to UC San Diego 76-65.
At home: The Wildcats have played just two games in 2013-14, and are 1-1 at Acker Gym so far this season. Chico State's lone home victory was nearly two months ago – a 79-47 win Nov. 12 over Fresno Pacific.
Team stats: The 'Cats rank fourth in the CCAA in offense, averaging 72.4 points a game, and are tied for fifth among the 12 conference teams in defense, allowing 65.2 points a contest. Chico State is the top CCAA team in field goal percentage (44.5 percent) and assists (15.3 a game). Chico State is also third in the conference in steals (9.3 per game) and tied for fifth in 3-point field goals (54).
Individual achievements: Several Wildcats continue to ranked among the CCAA elite in a number of statistical categories:
- Courtney Hamilton, who recently moved into second place on Chico State's career assists list, leads the CCAA (and is third in the nation) in assists, averaging 7.0 per game. She is also second in the conference in steals (2.7 a game), tied for third in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0) and fourth in blocked shots (1.2 a contest).
- Analise Riezebos tops the CCAA in field goal percentage (57.1 percent).
- Hannah Womack, averaging 12.2 points a game, is second in the conference (and 21st in the nation) in free throw percentage (91.4 percent). She is also tied for seventh in the CCAA with 16 3-point field goals.
- McKenzie Dalthorp ranks second in the CCAA in field goal percentage (54.7 percent).
- Jazmine Miller, who leads the Wildcats in scoring (12.3 points per game) is fourth in the CCAA in free throw percentage (85.7 percent) and fifth in the conference in 3-point field goals (17).
- Annie Ward is eighth among CCAA shooters in 3-point field goal percentage (35.1 percent).
Cal State Dominguez Hills: The Toros, 9-17 last season in the first year of former Wildcat Head Coach Molly Goodenbour's tenure, are on a major role heading into Chico, winning six straight (by an average margin of 14.3 points a game during that stretch) to improve to 8-2 overall and a share of fourth place in the CCAA standings with a 4-2 conference mark. Dominguez Hills won a pair last weekend, beating Sonoma State Friday 72-62 and San Francisco State 79-64 on Saturday.
On the road: Dominguez Hills is 5-2 this season away from its home floor, the Torodome. The Toros are currently riding a three-game road winning streak.
Team stats: Dominguez Hills is the top defensive team in the CCAA (and 31st in the nation), holding opponents to just 59.9 points a game, and is fifth in scoring (71.5 points a contest). The Toros also lead the conference in rebounding, averaging 47.5 boards a night, and are tied for first in steals (10.9 per game).
Toros to watch: Sophomore guard Monay Lee ranks in the CCAA top 10 in scoring (third, 16.6 points a game), rebounding (fifth, 8.3 boards a contest) and steals (10th, 1.8 a game). Junior guard Talia Rayford is ninth in the conference in both scoring and rebounding (14.7 and 8.3 per game, respectively). Junior forwards Tayler Champion and Amber Wharton have connected for 31 3-pointers between them and are averaging a combined 22 points a game.
Head to head: Chico State won both meetings with Dominguez Hills last season, and have beaten the Toros eight straight times since 2010. The Wildcats lead the all-time series, 34-11.
Cal State L.A.: The Golden Eagles are one of the four teams tied for second place in the CCAA (Dominguez Hills, UC San Diego and San Francisco State being the others) with a 4-2 conference record; overall Cal State L.A. is 7-3. The Golden Eagles started the season winning five of their first six, but have scored just two victories over the past month. Cal State L.A. split its two conference tilts last weekend, bowing to San Francisco State Friday 80-57 before bouncing back to beat Sonoma State 78-39 on Saturday.
On the road: Cal State L.A. is 2-1 so far this season playing away from the Eagles' Nest.
Team stats: The Golden Eagles are seventh in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 68.4 points a game, and are tied for fifth (with Chico State) in defense, allowing 65.2 points a contest. Cal State L.A. leads the conference in blocked shots (3.5 a game), and is second in rebounding (43.8 boards per contest) and 3-point field goal percentage (34.2 percent).
Golden Eagles to watch: Junior guard Paige Melville is eighth in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 14.9 points a game, and also ranks in the conference's top 10 in 3-point field goals (20), 3-point field goal percentage (43.5 percent) and eighth in free throw shooting percentage (81.4 percent). Senior center Destinee La Fountain is the CCAA's top rebounder (10.0 a game) and is averaging 10.2 points a contest, while junior guard Aiwekhoe Okungbowa contributes 9.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Head to head: Cal State L.A. won two of the three meetings with the Wildcats last season, including a 66-53 victory in the March 8 CCAA Championship Tournament semifinal game. Though the two teams have played pretty evenly over the last few seasons, Chico State leads the all-time series 31-10.
Coverage: Both games will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM, and simulcast on the Wildcat Athletics website. Mike Baca and Mike Wessels will provide the play-by-play. Live Stats will also be available online.
