CHICO – Just about everyone associated with the Chico State women's basketball team has to be happy with the fact that there will be little need to lug around suitcases and equipment bags over the next five weeks. After playing just two home games since mid-November, the Wildcats will host eight of their next 10 contests in the friendly confines of Acker Gym, beginning this weekend with tilts against conference leader Humboldt State Friday and a talented Cal State San Bernardino squad on Saturday. Both games are set to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
The Wildcats are hoping the long home stretch will translate into some badly needed victories. Chico State – 4-6 overall and 1-5 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) – has dropped three straight and five of its last six games, including a pair of road contests last weekend against Cal Poly Pomona and UC San Diego. The 'Cats have their work cut out for them, though, taking on a pair of solid road teams this weekend. Humboldt State has not lost a game in nearly two months, while Cal State San Bernardino is firmly entrenched in the battle for a CCAA postseason berth.
Chico State has split its two home games in 2014-15, beating Dominican in the Nov. 15 season opener and falling to conference for Cal State Stanislaus 72-71 on Dec. 20. The Wildcats enter the weekend seventh in the CCAA in offense, averaging 68.2 points a game, while on defense rank ninth, giving up an average of 69.6 points a night.
Individually, Hannah Womack is among the conference leaders in several statistical categories. The senior guard is fourth among CCAA players in scoring (16.3 points a game), fifth in 3-point baskets (22) and sixth in free throw percentage (86.5 percent).
Womack's Wildcat teammate Brooke Bowen enters play Friday as the sixth-leading rebounder in the CCAA, averaging 7.3 boards a game, while freshman guard Whitney Branham ranks third in the conference in free throw percentage (88.1 percent).
Humboldt State, Chico State's Friday night opponent, is 10-1 on the season and a perfect 6-0 in CCAA play to bolt to the top of the conference standings. The Lumberjacks are currently riding a nine game winning streak, including a pair of home victories last week against Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A. Humboldt's lone defeat of the season was an overtime loss to Seattle Pacific back on Nov. 15. The Lumberjacks are 4-1 on the road so far this season.
Humboldt is second in the CCAA in offense, averaging 75.7 points a game, and the Lumberjacks' 76 3-pointers rank third among the 12 conference teams. Defensively, Humboldt is fifth in the CCAA, surrendering an average of 64.6 points a game.
The Lumberjacks are led by junior forward A'Jaee Foster. The reigning CCAA Player of the Week is averaging 13.8 points a game and is coming off back-to-back 20-point performances last weekend. Foster also ranks third in the conference in rebounding (9.7 boards a night). Senior center Megan Shields, an All-CCAA Second Team selection last season, is averaging 11.8 points and 6.0 rebounds a game, while senior guard Jae Shin is averaging 10.7 points a contest and is second in the conference with 29 3-pointers. Senior guard Kersey Wilcox, an All-CCAA First Teamer from a year ago, is averaging 7.7 points a game and leads the conference in assists (5.0 per game).
Chico State and Humboldt State met twice last season, with the Wildcats and Lumberjacks each claiming a victory. The Wildcats have won five of the last six matchups with the 'Jacks and lead the all-time series 67-21.
Cal State San Bernardino, which comes to Acker Gym following its Friday contest against Cal State Stanislaus, enters the weekend 7-3 overall and in a tie for seventh place in the CCAA with a 3-3 conference record. The Coyotes have lost three of their last four after starting the season 6-0; last week San Bernardino beat Cal State L.A. 54-51 on New Year's Day, but dropped a 62-53 decision to Cal State Dominguez Hills last Saturday. Away from Coussoulis Arena, the Coyotes are 4-1 on the season.
San Bernardino doesn't possess a high-scoring offense, ranking just 10th in the CCAA with an average of 62.5 points per game, and have been held to 54 points or less in each of its last three games. The Coyotes' defense, though, is tops in the conference, allowing a stingy 58.8 points a contest.
San Bernardino boasts a trio of double-digit scorers. Junior guard/forward Brianna Harden is averaging 12.5 points a game and is second in the CCAA in rebounding (10.0 boards per game). Junior guard Alexcia Mack, an All-CCAA selection last season, contributes 11.3 points and 3.1 assists a contest, while junior guard Chelsea Barnes chips in with 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds per night. Junior guard Chelsea Austin features a great all-around game, averaging 7.7 points and 5.7 rebounds a game to go along with a team-high 16 3-pointers and nine blocked shots.
Chico State swept the season series is 2013-14, but both were tightly-played affairs: the Wildcats beat the Coyotes by three points Jan. 3 and by two points Feb. 8. All-time, the 'Cats have beaten San Bernardino 25 times in 33 meetings.
Fans unable to make it to Acker Gym can follow the action Friday and Saturday locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM locally and on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website, with Mike Baca and Mike Wessels providing the play-by-play. Live Stats and live streaming video are also available online for both games.
