Only seven games left. And every single contest is crucial to the Chico State women's basketball team's goal of reaching postseason play. The Wildcats are squarely in the mix for one of the eight California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament berths, but need a strong finish to rise above the pack currently shoehorned in the middle of the conference pack. The 'Cats travel to the Bay Area this weekend for a pair of key CCAA matchups, taking on Sonoma State Friday in Rohnert Park and San Francisco State on Saturday. Both games tip off at 5:30 p.m.
 
Mike Wessels will provide the play-by-play for both contests locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM, with the broadcast simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats are also available online.
 
Of the Wildcats' seven remaining regular season games, five are away from the friendly confines of Acker Gym. Chico State enters the weekend having won just three of eight on the road during the 2016-17 campaign.
 
Chico State is 12-7 overall and tied for seventh with Cal State LA in the CCAA standings with a 7-6 conference record. Since winning three straight January 13–19, the 'Cats have dropped two of their last three decisions. Last weekend the Wildcats beat Cal State San Bernardino 63-54 before suffering just their second home loss of the season Saturday, falling to conference-leading UC San Diego 68-48.
 
The Wildcats own the fifth-best offense in the 13-team CCAA, averaging 64.4 points a game. Chico State continues to be the stingiest defensive team in the conference, surrendering just 58.1 points a contest.
 
Individually, Whitney Branham ranks second in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 15.9 points a game. She leads the conference in free throw percentage (89.1 percent) and is fourth in 3-pointers (48).
 
Sonoma State, the Wildcats' Friday night opponent, is 10-8 on the season and in ninth place in the CCAA with a 6-6 conference mark. The Seawolves have lost five of their last eight, though they did split a pair of road games last week. Sonoma buried Cal State Dominguez Hills 62-38 before being tripped up Saturday by Cal State San Marcos 58-49.
 
The Seawolves, 3-4 at home this season, ranks second in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 66.7 points a game. Defensively, Sonoma is sixth in the conference, giving up 62.5 points a contest.
 
The Seawolves are led by guard Kylie Keich. The sophomore is seventh in the CCAA in scoring (14.1 points per game) and has connected on a team-high 29 3-pointers. Junior guard Madison Burroughs contributes 10.8 points and 3.1 assists a game, while sophomore forward Kim Savio chips in with 9.2 points and a team-best 5.9 rebounds a night.
 
Chico State bested Sonoma 71-65 in the season's first meeting December 17 at Acker Gym. The Wildcat lead the all-time series between the two teams 65-20.
 
San Francisco State, which takes on the Wildcats Saturday after hosting Stanislaus State on Friday, is in the midst of a totally forgettable season. The Gators have lost 13 in a row entering the weekend and are 2-17 overall while sitting in last place in the CCAA with an 0-12 conference record. San Francisco State lost its lone game last week, falling to Cal State San Marcos last Thursday.
 
The Gators, 2-7 at home this season, is last in the CCAA in team scoring (53.5 points per game). On defense, San Francisco State ranks seventh in the conference, allowing 63.7 points a contest.
 
Junior forward Kaitlin DaDalt is the Gators' top scorer, averaging 11.1 points per game while leading the team with 28 3-pointers. Senior forward/center Donae Moguel averages 10.2 points per contest and is fifth in the CCAA in rebounding, hauling in 7.3 boards a night.
 
Earlier this season, Chico State defeated the Gators 76-48 December 31 in Acker Gym. The Wildcats hold a hefty 72-23 lead in the all-time series versus San Francisco State.