It's no secret that the month of December has been a rough one for the Chico State women's basketball team. The Wildcats have lost five in a row and fallen to the cellar of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Thursday afternoon the 'Cats can not only put an end to the losing streak and but enter 2016 on a positive note when they take on the Golden Eagles of Cal State L.A. in a New Year's Eve matinee tipping off at 1 p.m. at Acker Gym.
Fans can follow the action with Mike Baca and Mike Wessels calling the play-by-play locally on Newstalk 1290-AM KPAY, with the broadcast simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats and live streaming video are also available online.
Chico State (4-5 overall, 0-4 CCAA) last played Dec. 18, when it dropped a 70-58 road decision to Sonoma State. The Wildcats' offense has struggled throughout the current losing streak, averaging just 55.4 points over the five-game stretch and shooting less than 36 percent from the field as a team.
Despite giving up 70 points in each of their last two games, the 'Cats' defense still ranks as one of the best in the conference. Chico State is second among the 13 CCAA teams, allowing 58.1 points per contest.
The Wildcats are 2-1 this season playing on their home floor of Acker Gym.
Individually, Whitney Branham leads Chico State in scoring (10.9 points per game) and 3-pointers (12). Wildcat teammates Brooke Bowen and Michelle Townsend average a combined 14.3 points and have connected on 21 3-pointers, while McKena Barker is continuing to post solid numbers, averaging eight points and six rebounds a game.
Cal State L.A. comes to Chico sporting a 3-6 overall record and is tied for eighth place in the CCAA with a 1-2 conference record. The Golden Eagles have lost two straight and three of their last four, including a 74-64 defeat Dec. 18 at the hands of Cal State San Bernardino.
Cal State L.A.'s one win, though, was a biggie – an 84-74 triumph over Humboldt State Dec. 5 in Arcata. The Golden Eagles are 2-3 on the road this season.
Cal State L.A. knows how to score, averaging 65.8 points through its first nine games. The Golden Eagles have scuffled on defense, however, allowing opponents to average 71.8 points a contest.
Cal State L.A. is led by guard Chiara DiMarco. The junior is seventh in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 14.3 points a game while serving up 2.6 assists a contest. Senior forward Bree Parsons and senior guard Franeka Hall combine for 21 points and 10 rebounds a game, while junior guard Samantha Lee is the Golden Eagles' top 3-point shooter with 12 treys on the season.
Cal State L.A. has won five of the last six meetings with Chico State, but the Wildcats lead the all-time series 32-13.
