Going undefeated before heading into conference play is great for building up a team's confidence, but when the "money games" begin, each victory carries an even bigger significance. The Chico State women's basketball team will try to keep its record unblemished and begin California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play on a positive note this weekend when it travels to the Bay Area to battle San Francisco State on Friday and Cal State East Bay Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
 
Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action online. Mike Baca will broadcast the play-by-play locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM and simulcast on the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats will be available for both games, with Friday's San Francisco State game featuring live streaming video. Friday's San Francisco State contest will also be televised on the Comcast Hometown Network (channel 104 for Comcast customers).
 
Chico State is 4-0 on the season, but hasn't played since winning a pair of games Nov. 21-22 at the Western Oregon Hampton Inn D2 Shootout in Monmouth, Ore. The 'Cats, who are 2-0 on the road this season, have outscored their opponents by an average of nearly 16 points a contest.
 
In addition to the win-loss column, the Wildcats are off to a great start statistically. Defensively, Chico State is the stingiest team in the CCAA (and seventh-best in the nation), allowing just 49.5 points a game. The 'Cats, which averages 65.3 points a game on offense, also leads the CCAA in field goal percentage, connecting on 45.5 percent of their shots so far this season.
 
San Francisco State, Chico's Friday night opponent, is 2-3 on the year and has already doubled its victory total of last season, when the Gators finished 1-21. San Francisco State has won two out of three on their home floor, The Swamp, including a 73-42 victory Monday over California Maritime Academy.
 
San Francisco State ranks 12th in the CCAA in offense, averaging 56.4 points a game. Defensively, the Gators have surrendered 60 points a contest – second only to the Wildcats among conference teams. San Francisco State leads the conference in free throw percentage (80.6 percent) and is second in blocks (4.0 a game).
 
Chico State has won 12 of the last 14 meetings with San Francisco State and leads the all-time series 70-22.
 
Cal State East Bay, which hosts the Wildcats Saturday, is 5-2 so far in 2015-16. The Pioneers got the CCAA conference season underway Tuesday with a huge road victory, blasting Cal State San Bernardino 76-55.
 
East Bay has won all four of its games this season at Pioneer Gymnasium. The team is averaging 69.1 points a game while holding the opposition to 61 points per contest. The Pioneers boast the most productive 3-point shooting team in the CCAA, draining 52 treys in their first seven games.
 
Chico State will be looking to record its first victory over East Bay since Feb. 28, 2013. Though the Pioneers have won the last four meetings, the Wildcats hold a 53-16 edge in the all-time series between the two teams.