CHICO – After playing eight of its last 10 games at home, the Chico State women's basketball team will be on the road for the next two weeks, with the first week in particular seeing the Wildcats roll off quite a few miles to reach their two game destinations. Even with an extra travel day, it's the most grueling road stretch of the season, as the 'Cats go to Southern California Thursday to take on Cal State San Bernardino, followed by a Saturday showdown in Arcata against conference co-leader Humboldt State. Both game are slated to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
Chico State enters the week 8-12 overall and sitting in eighth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 5-11 conference mark. The Wildcats split their two home games last weekend, upending UC San Diego Friday 76-70 before bowing to Cal Poly Pomona 72-57 on Saturday.
The 'Cats could find themselves playing two very different kinds of games this week. Cal State San Bernardino features a low-scoring offense (63.1 points per game) but boasts the top defensive team in the CCAA (allowing just 57.1 points a contest). Humboldt State generates plenty of offense (second in the conference at 74.5 points a game), but is only eighth in the CCAA in team defense (65.4 points a night).
For its part, Chico State is fifth in the CCAA in offense, averaging 66.2 points a game. On defense, the 'Cats rank ninth among the 12 conference teams, giving up 67.2 points per contest.
Chico State heads into this week's action with a 4-6 road record on the season.
Hannah Womack continues to be the Wildcats' top offensive weapon, ranking in the CCAA top 10 in scoring (fourth, 14.7 points per game), 3-pointers (tied for fourth, 37) and free throw percentage (eighth, 84.0 percent). Whitney Branham is averaging just under 10 points a game and is sixth in the conference in free throw percentage (85.1 percent), while Brooke Bowen and Annie Ward average a combined 18 points a game. Ward (30) and Branham (25) both rank in the CCAA top 15 in 3-pointers.
Cal State San Bernardino, Chico State's Thursday night opponent, is 15-5 overall and in fourth place in the CCAA with an 11-5 conference mark. The Coyotes have won eight of their last 10 games, but split two road contests last weekend, falling to Cal State Dominguez Hills 66-48 before bouncing back to beat Cal State L.A. 75-67. San Bernardino is 7-2 this season on its home floor, Coussoulis Arena.
The Coyotes are led by junior guard Alexcia Mack (13.2 points a game, 24 3-pointers). Junior forward Brianna Harden contributes 12.4 points per contest and ranks third in the CCAA in rebounding (9.7 boards a night). Junior guard Chelsea Austin is San Bernardino's top long-distance shooter with 37 treys on the season.
The Coyotes took the first meeting with the Wildcats, winning 56-45 Jan. 10 at Acker Gym. Despite the loss, Chico State has won six of the last seven matchups with San Bernardino and leads the all-time series 25-12.
Humboldt State, which faces the Wildcats Saturday, is 18-3 on the season and is tied for first place with Cal State Dominguez Hills for the top spot in the CCAA with a 14-2 conference record. The Lumberjacks had won 17 of 18 but saw their four-game winning streak halted Saturday by the Toros 59-58 in Carson.
Humboldt State has been unbeatable at home so far this season, sporting a 9-0 record at Lumberjack Arena.
Junior forward A'Jaee Foster is the 'Jacks' No. 1 weapon, averaging 13.1 points and 9.7 rebounds a game. Senior guard Jae Shin chips in with 11.8 points per game and is second in the CCAA with 60 3-pointers, while senior guard Kersey Wilcox tops the conference in assists (5.5 a game) while averaging eight points a contest.
In the season's first meeting, Humboldt State beat Chico State in an 89-84 shootout Jan. 9 at Acker Gym. The Lumberjacks have won the last two matchups, but the Wildcats hold a 67-22 lead in the all-time series between the two teams.
Fans can follow the action of both Chico State games via Live Stats, available through the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video will be available for Saturday's Chico State-Humboldt State contest.
