The 2019–20 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference season is just a week away, so there's precious little time for the Chico State women's basketball team to iron out any rough edges or determine the best on-court combinations before having to really get down to business. As a result, the Wildcats have two important games coming up this week when they travel to Rohnert Park to compete in the CCAA/GNAC Challenge. Friday the 'Cats take on the Cavaliers of Concordia (Oregon), followed by a Saturday tilt with Western Oregon. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 12 p.m.
There are several ways for fans to follow the action. Friday's game against Concordia will be broadcast locally on KPAY Sports 1290 AM, with Saturday's game on 93.9 FM. The play-by-play for both games will be simulcast on the Internet through the Wildcat Athletics website, with Live Stats also available online.
Chico State enters the CCAA/GNAC Challenge 2-1 on the young season. The Wildcats won their first home game of the regular season Tuesday, defeating Holy Names 71-49 at Acker Gym.
Senior guard Maddy Wong leads the 'Cats in scoring, averaging 16.3 points a game. She leads all CCAA players with 14 3-pointers, and is shooting a blistering 58.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Hannah Washington is sixth in the conference in rebounds, pulling down 8.3 boards a contest. Shay Stark, averaging 6.3 points and 4.7 rebounds a game, is second among all CCAA players in assists (15) and assists per game (5.0).
Concordia (Oregon), which faces the Wildcats Friday, is 0-2 heading into the CCAA/GNAC Challenge. The Cavaliers lost a pair of home contests last weekend to open the season, falling to Cal State East Bay 67-55 Friday before dropping a 79-77 decision Saturday to Academy of Art.
Concordia features a trio of double-digit scorers. Junior guard Olivia Vezaldenos leads the Cavaliers, averaging 13.0 points a game, followed by junior forward Riley Friauf (11.5 ppg) and junior guard Abby Aplaca (10.5 ppg).
Friday marks the first time Chico State and Concordia women's basketball teams have met in regular season play.
The Wildcats' Saturday opponent, Western Oregon, is 1-1 so far in 2019–20. The Wolves opened the season with a 72-63 loss to Academy of Art Friday, but bounced back to defeat Cal State East Bay 65-49.
The Wolves' offense revolves around three main scorers: sophomore guard Tresai McCarver (13.0 points per game), senior forward Shariah Green (13.0 ppg), and junior guard Keyonna Jones (12.0 ppg). Sophomore guard Rachel Rogers is averaging 8.5 points and a team-high 7.5 rebounds a contest.
The Wildcats hold a 7-0 lead in the all-time series between the two teams. The last time Chico State and Western Oregon met on the hardwood, the 'Cats claimed a 70-67 victory November 18, 2016 in Acker Gym during the Coslet Classic.
