For several days, the Chico State women's basketball team has had to carry around the disappointment of Saturday's 61-56 loss to Sonoma State, a game in which the Wildcats had led by as many as 24 points. But the desire put that frustrating setback into the rearview mirror could prove to be a huge motivator this week as the 'Cats hit the road Thursday to take on Cal State San Marcos, followed by a non-conference tilt Saturday at Acker Gym against Simpson University.
The Cal State San Marcos contest is scheduled to tip off at 6 p.m., with Saturday's game versus Simpson is slated for a 7 p.m. start. Fans not able to attend can listen to Mike Baca's play-by-play of both games locally on Newstalk 1290-AM KPAY, with the broadcast simulcast on the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats and live streaming video are also available online.
Chico State enters the week 6-9 on the season and in last place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 2-8 conference record. Last weekend the Wildcats won big Friday with a 69-39 thumping of San Francisco State before being outscored 47-20 in the second half Saturday to fall to the visiting Seawolves.
Chico State is 2-7 on the road this season and is looking for its first win away from Acker Gym since Nov. 22.
The 'Cats currently rank eighth in the 13-team CCAA on offense, averaging 63.3 points a game. Defensively, Chico State is sixth in the conference, allowing an average of 61.5 points per contest.
Whitney Branham continues to be Chico State's top offensive threat, leading the Wildcats in scoring (12.0 points a game) and 3-pointers (24). Brooke Bowen has connected on 20 treys and is averaging 9.8 points a contest, while McKena Barker is contributing 8.5 points and a team-high 7.1 rebounds (seventh-best in the CCAA) a night. Point guard Sherise Porchia ranks second in the conference in assists, averaging 4.5 dishes a game.
Cal State San Marcos, playing in its first season as a member of the CCAA, is 5-8 overall and in seventh place in the conference with a 3-5 record. Since beating the Wildcats 71-63 in their first-ever meeting back on Dec. 12, the Cougars have lost four of their last six games. Last week San Marcos split a pair of non-conference contests, dropping a 65-53 decision to Vanguard University before beating Westmont College Saturday 55-53.
The Cougars are 4-3 at home this season. San Marcos plays its home games at MiraCosta College in Oceanside.
Offensively, the Cougars are 12th in the CCAA, averaging 56.8 points a game, but third among conference teams in defense, giving up just 59.8 points a night.
San Marcos is led by sophomore Savannah Camp. The combination guard/forward is third in the CCAA in scoring (15.8 points a game) while also hauling in 6.4 rebounds a contest. Camp is one of several long-distance shooting threats the Cougars utilize, teaming up with guards Ashley Ontiveros and Paige Barber for 72 3-pointers on the season. Junior guard Ashley Jenkins averages 11.5 points a game and is fourth in the CCAA in assists (4.3 a game).
Simpson University, an NAIA school in Redding, is 6-12 overall and 2-1 in the California Pacific Conference. Over the weekend the Red Hawks put a halt to a two-game mini-skid with a 94-74 win Sunday over La Sierra University. Simpson will host Pacific Union College this Thursday before heading down to Chico for its Saturday showdown with the Wildcats.
The Red Hawks, 3-7 on the road this season, average 68.0 points a game on offense while giving up nearly 73 points a night.
Junior guard Esther Wofford is Simpson's go-to player, leading the team in scoring (16.2 points a game), rebounding (7.3 boards per contest) and assists (3.7 a game). Wofford has connected on 27 3-pointers, as has sophomore forward Fallon Greenhaw, who is averaging 12.6 points a game. Senior guard Emma Limburg is the Red Hawks' top 3-point shooter, knocking down 34 treys on the season.
