The Chico State women's basketball team has always felt a sense of satisfaction when it goes on the road and triumph over a good team. This weekend, the Wildcats' trip down to the Bay Area carries some added significance. Not only will they try to beat a talented San Francisco State squad, they'll have to do it against a coach who also happens to be one of the greatest players ever to don a Chico State uniform. Former 'Cats great Natasha Smith leads the host Gators against the Wildcats beginning at 1 p.m. at The Swamp.
Mike Baca will provide the play-by-play locally on Newstalk 1290, with the action simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats and live streaming video will also be available online.
Smith, who appeared in more games than any player in Wildcats history (130), ranks seventh all-time in scoring, fourth in assists, and fifth in free throws and steals. She was named San Francisco State's head coach last August after serving as an assistant at the University of San Francisco, Southern Oregon, Cal State Dominguez Hills, and her alma mater, Chico State.
Smith has taken over a San Francisco State team that finished 3-19 last season and has guided the Gators to a 2-4 record so far in the 2018–19 campaign. San Francisco State scored 102 points in a win last Sunday over Academy of Art, and was victorious in its California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener November 23 against Cal State Monterey Bay.
The Gators host Cal Poly Pomona Thursday before taking on the 'Cats Saturday afternoon.
Chico State enters the weekend 3-1 overall and 0-1 in CCAA play. The Wildcats, after having one game postponed due to the recent Camp Fire, were idle for 10 days before bowing on the road last Saturday to No. 17 UC San Diego 81-47 in the CCAA opener for both teams.
The 'Cats are averaging 60.2 points a game on offense, while surrendering 60.8 points per contest.
Madison Wong leads a balanced Chico State scoring attack, averaging 8.8 points a game, while ranking fifth in the CCAA in 3-point field goal percentage (.400). Shay Stark is tied for fourth among conference players in assists (17), with Vanessa Holland ranking ninth in steals (9). Natalie Valenzuela is fourth in the CCAA in blocks (6), with McKena Barker ranking in the conference's top 10 in rebounding, averaging 7.5 boards a game.
San Francisco State averages 68.7 points a game on offense, and is No. 2 in the CCAA in 3-point shooting. Defensively, the Gators give up 74.2 points a contest.
San Francisco State is led by senior forward Jhaina Stephens, averaging 13 points and 8.3 rebounds a game, with senior guard Toni Edwards contributing 10 points and 4.2 assists a night. Freshmen guards Taimane Lesa-Hardee and Isabella Lamonea have combined for 20 3-pointers for the Gators.
Chico State won both meetings with San Francisco State last season, and have come out on top in five straight contests with the Gators dating back to 2015. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 75-23.
Support Students, Faculty, and Staff Impacted by the Camp Fire
The Wildcat Athletics Family is committed to doing all we can to help spread awareness and help for those directly impacted by the Camp Fire, which struck Butte County on Thursday, November 8. We are reaching out to you asking for help raising money for the Wildcats Rise Fire Recovery Fund, established by the University.
Donations to this fund will support students, faculty, and staff in need of aid for clothing and household goods, electronics such as phones and laptops, transportation, childcare assistance, temporary housing, school supplies, or meal assistance.
This terrible disaster will not stop the resolve of our Chico State community. Together, our Wildcats Family will rise.
A table will be set up at Saturday's 7 p.m. women's basketball game to make it easy to give. People can also give by simply clicking
HERE or by texting WildcatsRise74 to 71777.
For complete information on the University's response, please visit
HERE.
