CHICO – Midway through the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) schedule, the Chico State women's basketball team finds itself in the bottom half of the conference standings. The Wildcats have lost their share of heartbreakers – three CCAA losses have been by five points or less – but despite some bad luck, Head Coach Brian Fogel's squad is determined that the second time through the conference will make the rest of the CCAA stand up and take notice. The 'Cats open a four-game homestand this weekend with a couple of immediate challenges as they take on Cal State L.A. Friday and Cal State Dominguez Hills Saturday at Acker Gym. Tipoff for both games are slated for 5:30 p.m.
Chico State enters the weekend 7-9 on the season and tied for eighth place in the CCAA with a 4-8 conference record. The Wildcats have won three of the last four contests since snapping their recent five-game losing streak. Last weekend the 'Cats split their Northern California road trip, falling to Cal State East Bay Friday before bouncing back with a convincing 68-53 victory over Cal State Monterey Bay.
Chico State has won its last two home games and is 3-3 this season in the friendly confines of Acker Gym.
The Wildcats rank sixth among the 12 CCAA teams in scoring, averaging 66.6 points a game. Defensively, Chico State is eighth in the conference, allowing 66.6 points per contest.
Individually, Hannah Womack continues to rank among the top 10 CCAA players in scoring (fourth, 14.8 points a game), 3-point baskets (fifth, 32) and free throw percentage (ninth, 82.7 percent). Whitney Branham, averaging 9.6 points a game, has connected on 18 3-pointers and is fifth in the CCAA in free throw percentage (86.2). Brooke Bowen is contributing 9.4 points and a team-high 6.2 rebounds per game, while Annie Ward – thanks to a torrid weekend that saw the senior drain nine 3-pointers – is averaging 8.2 points a game and ranks just outside the CCAA top 10 with 24 3-pointers.
Cal State L.A., Chico State's Friday night opponent, is 8-8 overall and tied for fifth in the CCAA with a 7-5 conference record. The Golden Eagles have played well of late, winning five of their last six, with four of those victories coming on the road. Last weekend Cal State L.A. beat Sonoma State by double digits, followed by a 68-35 crushing of San Francisco State the following night.
Cal State L.A. is eighth in the CCAA in offense, scoring a collective 64.3 points a game, while on defense, the Golden Eagles rank fourth in the conference, surrendering just 63.9 points a contest. Cal State L.A. is 4-4 this season away from its home floor, The Eagles' Nest.
The Golden Eagles are led by sophomore guard Chiara DiMarco, averaging 11.1 points and 3.4 assists a game while leading the team with 19 3-pointers. Junior guard Kaija Powell contributes 10.9 points and 3.3 assists to the Cal State L.A. attack, while seniors Kiara Harewood and Aiwekhoe Okungbowa combine to average 13 rebounds a contest.
Cal State L.A. won the first meeting with Chico State this season, downing the 'Cats 73-66 Dec. 6 at The Eagles' Nest. Though Cal State L.A. has won four of the last five meetings, the Wildcats lead the all-time series 32-12.
Cal State Dominguez Hills, which comes to Chico following its Friday matchup with Cal State Stanislaus, enters the weekend 15-5 on the season and owning a share of second place in the CCAA with a 10-2 conference record. The Toros, led by former Chico State Head Coach Molly Goodenbour, have won 13 of the last 15 and trail conference leader Humboldt State by just a game. Last weekend Dominguez Hills won a pair of road tilts, defeating San Francisco State Friday and Sonoma State on Saturday.
The Toros are fourth in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 69.2 points a game. On defense, Dominguez Hills is the third-stingiest team in the conference, giving up just 60.7 points per contest. The Toros have won regularly on the road, winning 10 of their 14 away games this season.
Dominguez Hills features four players who score in double figures. Junior guard Breanne Garcia is fourth in the CCAA, averaging 14.4 points a game, with senior guard Talia Rayford averages 12.9 points and 8.4 rebounds a night. Senior forward Tayler Champion, averaging 12.2 points a game, is the top 3-point shooter in the conference, connecting on 55 shots from downtown. Junior guard Monay Lee chips in with 11.5 points and 6.6 rebounds nightly.
Dominguez Hills won big in its first meeting with Chico State this season, whipping the Wildcats 62-42 Dec. 5 at the Torodome in Carson. All-time, Chico State has won 37 of the 50 games played 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.
