CHICO – With just six games remaining in the ultra-tight California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) women's basketball race, only two games separate second from ninth place in the conference standings. Precious little time for a letdown – and that includes Chico State, currently the hottest team in the CCAA. The Wildcats, in a three-way tie for second place, have their work cut out for them this weekend, hitting the road to take on the two other teams they're tied with – Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills – Friday and Saturday in Southern California. Both games are slated to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
Where they stand: Chico State is 15-5 on the season and 11-5 in the CCAA to earn a share of second place in the conference standings. The Wildcats are riding a season-best seven-game winning streak and have chalked up nine victories in their last 10 outings. Last weekend the 'Cats downed UC San Diego 55-42 on Friday, then needed a basket by McKenzie Dalthorp in the final seconds Saturday to nip Cal State San Bernardino 74-72.
On the road: The Wildcats are 7-3 on the season and have won four of the last five games away from the friendly confines of Acker Gym.
Team statistics: Chico State ranks third in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 71.2 points a game, while defensively, the Wildcats are fourth among the 12 conference teams, giving up 63.2 points a contest. The 'Cats lead the CCAA is field goal percentage (43.6 percent) and assists (15.0 per game), are third in free throw percentage (74.2 percent) and fifth in 3-point field goal percentage (32.1 percent).
Individual achievements: Look at the leaders on the CCAA season stat sheet and you'll see several Wildcat players among the top 15:
-- Courtney Hamilton leads the conference (and is third in the nation) in assists (6.8 a game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.0). She also ranks third in the CCAA in steals (2.4 a game) and sixth in blocked shots (1.0 a contest).
-- Jazmine Miller, the 'Cats' leading scorer (13.1 points a game), is 13th among CCAA players. She ranks third in free throw percentage (86.5 percent), sixth in 3-point field goals (36) and 13th in 3-point shooting percentage (33.0 percent).
-- Hannah Womack, averaging 11.2 points a game, is second in the CCAA (and ninth in the nation) in free throw percentage (90.8 percent) and ranks seventh in 3-point field goals (34) and 11th in 3-point field goal percentage (35.1 percent).
-- McKenzie Dalthorp is second in the CCAA in field goal percentage (52.4 percent).
-- Analise Riezebos is seventh among conference players in field goal percentage (50.6 percent) and eighth in rebounding (7.2 a game).
-- Annie Ward is 10th in the CCAA in 3-point field goal percentage (35.1 percent) and 13th in field goal percentage (44.9 percent).
Cal State L.A.: The Golden Eagles are 14-6 overall, and like the Wildcats, 11-5 in CCAA play. Cal State L.A. is playing some of its best basketball of the season, stringing together four straight wins and six in its last seven outings. Last weekend the Golden Eagles posted a pair of double-digit road victories, knocking off Sonoma State 66-54 and San Francisco State 67-55.
At home: Cal State L.A. has won its last three at The Eagles' Nest and is 8-3 at home on the season.
Team statistics: The Golden Eagles are eighth in the CCAA in scoring (66.7 points a game) and sixth in defense (63.6 points per contest). Cal State L.A. is tough in the paint, leading the conference in blocked shots (3.9 a game) and ranks third in rebounding (41.9 boards a night). The Golden Eagles are fourth among CCAA teams in field goal percentage (41.9 percent) and 3-point field goal percentage (33.2 percent).
Golden Eagles to watch: Junior guard Paige Melville, who scored 17 points in Cal State L.A.'s first meeting with Chico State this season, is eighth in scoring and 3-point field goals in the CCAA, averaging 14.6 points a game and connecting on 33 treys, respectively. Destinee La Fountain, a 6'2" senior center, is averaging 9.3 points and 1.55 blocks a game while leading the CCAA in rebounding (10.1 a game). Junior guard Alwekhoe Okungbowa contributes 8.6 points and 5.4 rebounds to the Golden Eagles' attack.
Head-to-head: The Wildcats, behind Jazmine Miller's career-high 26 points, beat Cal State L.A. 68-58 Jan. 11 at Acker Gym. Though the 'Cats and Golden Eagles have split the last six meetings, Chico State holds a 32-10 edge in the all-time series between the two teams.
Cal State Dominguez Hills: The Toros, led by former Chico State Head Coach Molly Goodenbour, are nearly as hot as Chico State and Cal State L.A., with five wins in their last six outings to improve their season record to 15-5 and conference mark to 11-5. Last weekend, Dominguez Hills split a pair of road contests, dropping a 66-53 decision to San Francisco State before thumping Sonoma State 79-53 on Saturday.
At home: Dominguez Hills has proven tough to beat at the Torodome, winning six of its seven home games this season. The Toros' only home loss was to conference-leading Cal Poly Pomona (64-53) back on Jan. 18.
Team statistics: Dominguez Hills is sixth in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 69.4 points a game, but is stingy on the defensive end – the Toros' 60.2 points-against average is second best in the conference. Dominguez Hills leads the CCAA in rebounding (44.2 boards a game), is second is steals (9.7 a game) and fourth in free throw percentage (70.6 percent).
Toros to watch: Sophomore guard Monay Lee is fifth in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 15.2 a game to go along with 7.1 rebounds per contest. Junior forward Tayler Champion is 10th in the conference in scoring (14.1 points per game), second in 3-point field goals (47) and third in rebounds (8.4 a game). Junior guard Talia Rayfold averages 11.1 points a game and is fifth in the CCAA in rebounding (7.8 per game), while sophomore guard Breanne Garcia contributes 8.1 points and 2.9 assists a night.
Head to head: In the first meeting of the season, the Wildcats hung on to beat the Toros 80-78 Jan. 10 at Acker Gym. Chico State has won the last nine meetings with Dominguez Hills and leads the all-time series 35-11.
Coverage: Both games this weekend will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM and simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website, with Mike Wessels handling the play-by-play. Live Stats and live streaming video will also be available online for both Friday and Saturday contests.
