The Chico State women's basketball team battled on both ends of last week's Southern California road trip, but despite two big fourth quarter comebacks, the Wildcats wound up on the short end of a pair of tightly played contests. The 'Cats return to Chico knowing they play six of their next seven contests in the friendly confines of Acker Gym, with the long home stretch getting underway Friday with a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) clash against the Lumberjacks of Humboldt State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Fans unable to attend the game can follow the action via Live Stats through the Wildcat Athletics website. Live streaming video is also available.
Chico State enters the weekend 5-3 overall and 0-2 in the CCAA. The Wildcats opened conference play last Thursday with a 58-55 loss to UC San Diego, then fell Saturday to Cal State San Marcos 63-61. The 'Cats have now dropped eight straight CCAA conference games dating back to last season.
Despite last weekend's heartbreak losses, Chico State still ranks in the upper tier of conference teams both offensively and defensively. The Wildcats' scoring average of 65.8 points per game is fifth best among the CCAA's 13 teams, while Chico State is third in defense, allowing just 60.5 points a contest.
Individually, Whitney Branham is tied for the conference scoring lead, averaging 17.0 points a game, and is the CCAA's top free throw shooter, connecting on 91.3 percent of her charity tosses. Branham, who has scored 20 or more points in four of the Wildcats' eight games this season, also ranks third among all conference players with 20 3-point field goals.
Natalie Valenzuela is averaging 11 points a game for the 'Cats and is the CCAA leader in both blocked shots (19) and blocks per game (2.4).
Jo Paine, who averaged 18 points a game last weekend, including a 21-point, 11-rebound performance against Cal State San Marcos, is averaging 10 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds per game this season.
Humboldt State comes to Chico 1-7 on the season and 0-2 in the CCAA. The Lumberjacks have lost three straight since their lone victory November 22 against Holy Names. Last weekend the 'Jacks dropped their lone contest, dropping a 76-68 road decision to Cal State LA.
Humboldt is averaging 58.3 points a game as a team (ranking 11th in the CCAA), but has struggled mightily on defense, surrendering a conference-worst 76 points a contest.
Catharine Rees is the Lumberjacks' leading scorer, averaging 12.1 points a game. The junior guard ranks second in the CCAA with 24 3-pointers on the year.
Freshman guard Tyra Turner is averaging 12 points a game, while senior center Teylor McMiller contributes 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds a contest.
Humboldt State took both meetings with the Wildcats last season and has won five straight against Chico State dating back to 2014. The 'Cats hold a healthy 67-25 lead in the all-time series between the two teams.
