CHICO – How huge was the Chico State women's basketball team's win over Cal Poly Pomona last Saturday? For starters, it halted a two-game mini-losing streak, and gave the Wildcats a much-needed victory heading into postseason play. But perhaps more important, the 63-61 win over the Broncos locked up second place in the conference, giving the 'Cats a first round bye in this week's California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament. As a result, Chico State moves right to the semifinal round – and needs just two victories to capture the tournament crown and an automatic NCAA Championship Tournament bid – plus gets an extra day to prepare for its initial Friday night opponent.
The Wildcats will play the winner of Thursday's first-round matchup between Cal State Dominguez Hills or Cal State East Bay Friday at Citizen's Business Bank Arena in Ontario. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. The game can be heard live locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM and simulcast on the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats and live streaming video will also be available.
CLICK HERE for official Women's CCAA Championship Tournament page
Chico State heads into the postseason with an 18-8 overall record and has moved up to the No. 4 slot in the NCAA West Regional rankings. Even if the Wildcats fall short of winning the CCAA Tournament title this week, they still maintain a solid candidate to earn one of the top eight regional slots, and with it an invitation to the Mar. 15-18 NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional.
The 'Cats and regular season conference champion Cal Poly Pomona received the two first round byes in the CCAA Championship Tournament's new six-team format. Pomona will play its first game Friday, squaring off against the winner of Thursday's first round matchup between Cal State L.A. and UC San Diego. The tournament final is slated for Saturday at 7:35 p.m.
Chico State owns the second-best regular season record in head-to-head matchups with the other five teams competing in the tournament. The Wildcats won six of 10 against the CCAA's top women's basketball programs, including a season sweep of first place Cal Poly Pomona. Pomona was 7-3 against CCAA Tournament teams; Cal State East Bay went 5-5, while Dominguez Hills, Cal State L.A. and UC San Diego each went 4-6.
The only tournament team that Chico State did not beat during the regular season was Cal State East Bay, but both games were close, with the Pioneers prevailing in each contest by just three points.
This marks the 12th straight season the Wildcats have reached postseason play, including a trip to each of the seven CCAA Championship Tournaments. Chico State won the inaugural tournament in 2007-08, and last appeared in the finals in 2009-10.
Last season Chico State reached the semifinals of the CCAA Championship Tournament. After beating San Francisco State 62-49 in the opening round, the Wildcats fell to Cal State L.A. 66-53 in the semifinals. The 'Cats went on to the NCAA Championship Tournament, bowing to Cal State Monterey Bay 66-64 in the first round of the West Regionals.
Wildcat seniors Courtney Hamilton, Jazmine Miller, McKenzie Dalthorp and Analise Riezebos are playing in their fourth consecutive CCAA Championship Tournament, and are hoping to make their third straight trip to the NCAA Championship Tournament later this month.
