Nearly three weeks after its scheduled home opener, the Chico State women's basketball team will finally get the chance to thrill the Wildcats faithful in the friendly confines of Acker Gym. Due to the Camp Fire, the 'Cats' original November 17 home opener against Academy of Art was postponed until this past Monday, only to be scrubbed again. The end of the week, however, will see the Wildcats finally getting to wear the home whites, as they welcome in conference foes Stanislaus State Thursday and Cal State East Bay Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
 
Mike Baca and Mike Wessels will be courtside to call the action of both games locally on Newstalk 1290-AM KPAY, with the broadcasts simulcast on the Internet through the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats and live streaming video will also be available online.
 
Chico State enters its first two home games of 2018–19 with a 4-1 season record, and a 1-1 mark in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Wildcats were winners in their last outing, downing San Francisco State 63-48 on December 1.
 
Through the first five games of the 2018–19 campaign, the 'Cats are averaging 60.8 points a game on offense, and lead all 13 CCAA teams in 3-point field goals per game (7.2). Defensively, Chico State is among the best in the conference, holding opponents to just 58.2 points per contest. The 'Cats are also fourth in the CCAA in rebounding, averaging 41.6 boards a night.  
 
Individually, Madison Wong is the Wildcats' leading scorer at 9.2 points a game, and is tied for seventh in the CCAA with 11 3-point field goals. McKena Barker is fourth among conference players in rebounding (8.4 boards a contest), and ranks fifth in blocked shots (8). Shay Stark is fifth in the CCAA in assists, averaging 4.0 dishes a game.
 
Stanislaus State brings a 1-4 record to Acker Gym for Thursday's tilt with the Wildcats. The Warriors, 1-2 in conference play, split a pair of home conference games last week, topping Sonoma State 59-49 before falling to Cal Poly Pomona 75-64.
 
Offensively, Stanislaus averages 60.2 points a game, but has been struggling a bit defensively. The Warriors have so far allowed a CCAA-high 77.2 points per contest.
 
Lizzy Alexander is the Warriors' top offensive weapon. The junior forward is averaging 16 points a game and leads the team with 10 3-pointers. Junior guard Angelica Baylon contributes 10.4 points and 5.4 assists a contest (second in the CCAA), while junior forward Alexus Kelly has pulled down a team-high 6.2 rebounds a game.
 
Chico State won both meetings with Stanislaus State last season, including a 73-61 victory November 25 at Acker Gym. While the two teams have split their last 12 matchups, the Wildcats lead the all-time series 55-31.
 
Cal State East Bay, which comes to Chico following its Thursday tilt against Sonoma State, starts the week 4-4 on the season and 1-2 in CCAA play. The Pioneers began the conference schedule with losses to Cal State San Marcos and Cal State Dominguez Hills, but notched their first CCAA victory last Saturday, prevailing over Cal State LA 53-51.
 
East Bay's offense has generated just 54 points a game, but the Pioneers have proven tough to score on, with opponents mustering just 57 points per contest.
 
East Bay is led by senior forward Savannah McGill, averaging 10 points and 9.3 rebounds a game. Junior forward Morgan Greene, a First Team All-CCAA selection last season, is averaging 9.4 points and 8.2 rebounds a game so far in 2018–19, while another all-conference pick from a year ago, senior guard Elayshia Woolridge, is averaging 7.0 points a night.
 
The Wildcats and Pioneers split their two 2017–18 meetings, but East Bay has won nine of the last 10 head-to-head matchups. Chico State leads the all-time series 54-21.
 
 
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.
 
People can give by simply clicking HERE or by texting WildcatsRise74 to 71777.
 

For complete information on the University's response, please visit HERE.