CHICO – The Chico State women's basketball team is still in search of its first victory of 2015. In fact, the Wildcats have only visited the win column once since the end of November. Despite the recent lack of success, Head Coach Brian Fogel's squad continues to work hard in practice and remains upbeat, knowing that with 40 minutes of execution a night, the 'Cats can easily string together some "W's" and make some legitimate noise in the second half of the season. The Wildcats hope a winning trend begins this weekend when they take on San Francisco State Friday and Sonoma State Saturday at Acker Gym. Both games will tip off at 5:30 p.m.
Chico State stands at 4-8 overall and tied for ninth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 1-7 conference record. Though the Wildcats have lost five straight – the program's longest losing streak since dropping six in a row in 2010-11 – three of those losses have been by five points or less, with another game lost despite having a lead with four minutes remaining. Last weekend the 'Cats were beaten twice at home, bowing to CCAA leader Humboldt State 89-84 and Cal State San Bernardino 56-45.
Chico State ranks sixth among the 12 CCAA teams in scoring, averaging 67.6 points a game, but is just 10th on defense, surrendering 70.1 points a contest. The Wildcats remain the best free throw shooting team in the conference, connecting on 75.8 percent of its charity tosses.
The Wildcats head into the weekend 1-3 this season at Acker Gym.
Individually, Hannah Womack has delivered double figures in each of Chico State's 12 games this season and is fourth in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 15.8 points a game. The senior guard is also fourth in 3-point baskets (28) and is tied for second in the conference – and 32nd in the nation – in free throw percentage (87.5).
Whitney Branham, a double-digit scorer for the past six Wildcats' games, is averaging 9.9 points a contest and is sixth in the CCAA (39th in the nation) in free throw percentage (87.0). Brooke Bowen is Chico State's leading rebounder (6.3 boards per game) and is contributing 9.5 points a contest.
It's been a rough season so far for the 'Cats' Friday night opponents, San Francisco State. The Gators are 0-12 overall and in last place in the CCAA with an 0-8 conference record. San Francisco State has lost by double digits in all but three its games in 2014-15, and all told has been outscored by an average of 19.4 points per contest. Last weekend the Gators suffered a pair of blowout road losses to both Cal Poly Pomona and UC San Diego.
San Francisco State is averaging a conference-low 56.8 points a game on offense, and ranks 11th in the CCAA in defense, giving up an average of 76.2 points a night. The Gators enter the weekend winless in six tries away from its home floor, The Swamp.
San Francisco State does feature some quality players that could give the Wildcats trouble Friday. Senior guard/forward Michelle Sutton is averaging 11.1 points per game for the Gators, while freshman forward/center Savannah Camp has contributed 10.8 points and a team-high 4.8 rebounds a contest. Camp and senior guard/forward Leti Galarza have combined to knock down 25 3-pointers on the season.
Chico State and San Francisco State split last year's season series, but the Wildcats have won 21 of the last 23 meetings with the Gators dating back to the 2002-03 season. The 'Cats lead the all-time series 69-21.
Sonoma State, which visits Acker Gym following its Friday night game against Cal State Stanislaus, is 6-6 on the season and tied for sixth place in the CCAA with a 4-4 conference record. The Seawolves saw their five-game winning streak come to a screeching halt last weekend, bowing to UC San Diego and Cal Poly Pomona in Southern California.
Sonoma State is not an offensive powerhouse (its 63.7 points per game average is ninth in the CCAA), but the Seawolves rank fourth in the conference in defense, allowing just 62.8 points a contest. Sonoma has split its four road games so far this season.
The Seawolves are led by center Hannah Sourek – the junior six-footer is averaging 11.1 points and 6.8 rebounds a game. Junior guard Taylor Acosta contributes 10.5 points and 4.4 boards a contest, while junior point guard has railed a team-high 18 3-pointers on the season.
Historically, Chico State has dominated the rivalry, winning four straight and 19 of the last 23 against the Seawolves over the past 12 years. All-time, the Wildcats have won 62 of the 80 meetings between the two teams.
Fans unable to attend this weekend's games can follow the action locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM, with Mike Baca and Mike Wessels handling the play-by-play. The broadcast will be simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website, with Live Stats and live streaming video also available online.
