Well, that didn't last long. After playing its first home games in over a month last weekend, the Chico State women's basketball team finds itself back on the road this week for a pair of California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) matchups. The Wildcats will be in Seaside Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to take on Cal State Monterey Bay, followed by a Saturday afternoon affair in Hayward against Cal State East Bay, with the tipoff slated for 1 p.m.
 
Mike Baca will be courtside to provide the play-by-play, broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290-AM and 102.9 FM KPAY, and simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats  and live streaming video will also be available online for both games.
 
The 'Cats face two very different challenges as they hit the halfway point of the conference schedule. Cal State Monterey Bay is 0-14 heading into Thursday's game, and has lost 20 dating back to last season. The last time the Otters found their way into the win column was back on January 27, 2017, when they beat Cal Poly Pomona 50-49.
 
Cal State East Bay, which faces the Wildcats Saturday, is a talented team despite its 7-9 season record (4-6 in CCAA play). The Pioneers have lost two straight and five of their last seven decisions.
 
Chico State enters the week with an overall record of 9-4, and shares fifth place with Humboldt State in the CCAA standings with a 6-4 conference mark. The Wildcats won a pair last week in their return to Acker Gym, downing Dominguez Hills 78-54 Thursday and Cal State LA 59-47 on Saturday.
 
Chico State is 5-4 this season on the road, but has lost its last three games away from Acker Gym.
 
Offensively, the 'Cats are averaging 64.5 points a game, while ranking second in the CCAA in defense, allowing just 61.5 points per contest. Chico State is also second among the 13 conference teams in 3-pointers (97) and 3-point field goal percentage (.343).
 
Chico State boasts three players averaging at least 10 points a game. Madison Wong leads the team with 11.1 points a game, and ranks second in the CCAA in 3-point field goals (34). Shay Stark is averaging 10.4 points a contest and is fifth in the conference in assists (4.0 a game), while Natalie Valenzuela averages 10.0 points a night and is seventh in the CCAA with 17 blocked shots.
 
McKena Barker is averaging 8.5 points a game for the Wildcats, and is sixth in the CCAA is rebounding, hauling in 10 boards a contest. Barker has posted double-digit rebounds in her last four games, averaging 13.25 boards a contest during that stretch.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay ranks last in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 49.3 points a game. Defensively, the Otters have surrendered 66.6 points per contest.
 
Monterey Bay is winless in six tries this season on its home floor, the Kelp Bed.
 
The Otters are led by senior guard Jordana Price, averaging 12.6 points a game. Sophomore forward Camille Parker contributes 7.5 points a game and is Monterey Bay's top rebounder, averaging 6.2 boards a contest.
 
Chico State won the lone meeting with Cal State Monterey Bay last season, beating the Otters 77-53 February 1 at Acker Gym. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 22-6.
 
Cal State East Bay, which takes on the Wildcats following a Thursday contest against Humboldt State, is averaging 58.2 points a game on offense. Defensively, the Pioneers are the top team in the CCAA, allowing just 59.1 points a contest.
 
East Bay is 3-4 this season at Pioneer Gymnasium.
 
Senior forward Savannah McGill is the Pioneers' leader in scoring (10.5 points a game), and is second in the CCAA in rebounding, averaging 11.0 boards a contest. Senior guard Elayshia Woolridge contributes 10.0 points a game, with junior guard Kincso Kelemen (5.6 points a game) serving as East Bay's top 3-point shooter with 22 treys on the season.
 
Chico State won the first meeting of 2018–19 with Cal State East Bay, besting the Pioneers 78-59 back on December 8. Though the Pioneers have won nine of the last 11 meetings, since 1987 the Wildcats hold a 29-11 lead in the all-time series between the two teams.