The Chico State women's basketball team is hoping an 11-day break wrapped around the Thanksgiving holiday has provided the Wildcats with the time needed to rest up, regroup, and reverse their recent fortunes. The 'Cats return to action this week with a pair of California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) contests, traveling to Southern California Thursday to take on No. 21 UC San Diego, then returning to Acker Gym Saturday to host Cal Poly Pomona. Both games will tip off at 5:30 p.m.
 
Fans can follow the action locally on Newstalk 93.9 KPAY FM. Mike Baca and Mike Wessel's broadcasts will be simulcast on the Internet through the Wildcat Athletics website, which will also feature Live Stats and live streaming video.
 
Chico State enters the week 4-3 on the season and 0-2 in the CCAA. Prior to the Thanksgiving break, the Wildcats dropped their last two contests, falling to Stanislaus State in the conference opener November 21, then losing in overtime two days later to Cal State East Bay.
 
Through the first seven games of the season, the 'Cats are averaging 61.7 points a game on offense, and rank in the CCAA's top five teams on defense, allowing just 60.1 points a contest.
 
Chico State is 1-2 so far on the young season at Acker Gym.
 
Individually, Maddy Wong leads the conference—and is third in the nation—in 3-pointers (27), while ranking 10th among all CCAA players in scoring, averaging 13.9 points a game. Hannah Washington begins the week sixth in the CCAA in free throw percentage (79.2 percent) and ninth in rebounding (7.7 boards a game).
 
UC San Diego, the defending CCAA champion, is 5-2 on the season and 1-1 in conference play. The Tritons took one of two last week at the Hawaii Tournament, beating No. 11 Minnesota State-Moorhead 60-54 before falling to Hawaii Pacific 73-64 on Saturday.
 
The Tritons are averaging nearly 71 points a game on offense, while holding opposing teams to 66.7 points a contest.
 
UC San Diego is 1-1 this season on its home floor, RIMAC Arena.
 
The Tritons are led by sophomore guard Julia Macabuhay, who ranks second in the CCAA in scoring (19.3 points a game) while sharing the team lead with 12 3-pointers. Junior guard Tyla Turner is averaging 11.9 points a game, while senior guard Sydney Sharp and sophomore guard Brianna Claros have combined to average 18 points a game and connect on 23 3-pointers.
 
UC San Diego swept the two-game season series from Chico State last season, and has won eight straight matchups with the Wildcats dating back to 2016. The Tritons hold a 30-13 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams.
 
Cal Poly Pomona, which comes to Chico following a Thursday home game against Stanislaus State, enters the week 6-2 overall and 2-0 in CCAA play. The Broncos are riding a three-game winning streak, with the latest victory coming November 27 against Concordia-Irvine.
 
As a team, Cal Poly Pomona is averaging 67.3 points a game on offense, while on the defensive end has held opponents to 61 points a contest.
 
Pomona is 3-2 on the road this season, while winning all three games played on its home floor, Kellogg Arena.
 
Senior forward Kasey Smit is the Broncos' top option on offense, averaging 15.9 points a game while hauling in 7.9 rebounds a contest. Senior guard Jackie Ricketson contributes 10.4 points and 7.4 rebounds a game, and sophomore guard Jayda Villareal has hit a team-high 12 3-pointers on the season.
 
Cal Poly Pomona took both matchups with the Wildcats last season and has beaten Chico State in nine of the last 10 meetings. The Broncos lead the all-time series with the 'Cats 30-24.