With a tough Southern California road trip now in the rearview mirror, the Chico State women's basketball team happily returns to the friendly confines of Acker Gym, where the Wildcats will play four of their next five contests to finish out December. The 'Cats will attempt to bring an abrupt halt to their two-game losing streak Saturday when they take on San Francisco State, with tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
Mike Baca and Mike Wessels will provide the game's play-by-play 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.
 
Saturday's contest will feature the top two scorers in the CCAA—Chico State's Whitney Branham leads the conference, averaging 21.3 points a game, while junior forward Jhaina Stephens of San Francisco State produces 21.0 points a contest. Stephens is also the CCAA's top rebounder, averaging 12.6 boards a night.
 
The Wildcats are looking for their third home straight victory this season and 11th in a row against San Francisco State at Acker Gym. The last time the Gators beat the 'Cats in Chico was back on January 30, 2009.
 
Despite its weekend stumble, Chico State is still the CCAA's No. 1 scoring team (averaging 72.6 points a game) and leads the conference in field goal percentage (44.1 percent), 3-point baskets (52), 3-point field goal percentage (38.2 percent), free throw percentage (84.2 percent—second best among all NCAA Division II teams) and assists (19.0 a contest).
 
In addition to leading the CCAA in scoring, Branham tops the conference in 3-pointers (24) and 3-point field goal percentage (46.2 percent). Her 96.7 free throw percentage is not only No. 1 in the CCAA, but sixth in the nation.
 
Kayla Taylor is shooting a CCAA-best 68.7 percent from the field (third best among all Division II players nationwide), while Madison Wong ranks second in the conference in assists, averaging 5.9 dishes a game.
 
San Francisco State enters the week 2-4 on the season and in last place in the CCAA with an 0-3 conference record. The Gators, which takes on the Wildcats following a Thursday road tilt against Sonoma State, is also trying to halt a two-game losing streak. San Francisco State dropped a pair at home last weekend, falling to Cal State LA 68-61 and 91-76 to CCAA leader Cal State Dominguez Hills.
 
The Gators rank sixth in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 68.7 points a game, but are second in the conference in field goal percentage (42.0 percent). San Francisco State has scuffled defensively so far this season, surrendering 71.7 points per contest.
 
Saturday marks just the third road contest for San Francisco State. Starting the week, the Gators are 0-1 away from The Swamp this season, dropping a 59-49 decision November 21 to Cal State East Bay.
 
Chico State has won the last three meetings with San Francisco State and leads the all-time series between the two teams 73-23.