Six games remain in the 2018–19 season, and the Chico State women's basketball team remains very much in the hunt for a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament berth, and more importantly, is in the driver's seat for hosting in the first round. The Wildcats know they need to finish the season strong, and there's no better place to start than in the friendly confines of Acker Gym. The 'Cats are back home this week and face a couple of major challenges, taking on Cal State San Bernardino Thursday and Cal Poly Pomona Saturday. Both games will tip off at 5:30 p.m.
Mike Baca and Mike Wessels 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 be available online for both games.
Chico State enters the week 12-7 on the season and in fourth place in the CCAA with a 9-7 conference record. The top four teams at season's end will host CCAA Tournament first round games, but for the Wildcats to ensure an extra date at Acker Gym, they must quickly turn their fortunes around. The 'Cats have dropped two straight and three of their last four contests, including last Saturday's 77-73 loss to Stanislaus State.
Cal State San Bernardino, which faces the Wildcats Thursday, is also in need of some late-season victories. The Coyotes are 9-13 overall and own the eighth and final CCAA Tournament berth with an 8-10 conference record, but have struggled over the last few weeks, losing four of their last five games. Last weekend San Bernardino fell at home to Cal State San Marcos and CCAA leader UC San Diego.
Cal Poly Pomona, which comes to Acker Gym Saturday following a Thursday night matchup in Arcata with Humboldt State, is one of the CCAA's elite teams, sporting a 19-3 overall mark and occupying second place in the conference standings with a 15-2 record. The Broncos have already clinched a CCAA Tournament bid, and have won 12 of their last 13—Pomona's only loss in that stretch coming against UC San Diego.
If finishing in the conference's top four isn't enough incentive for the Wildcats, the Wildcats are anxious to avenge early-season losses at the hands of both teams. Cal State San Bernardino topped the 'Cats 63-55 back on January 3, with the Broncos handing Chico State an 85-56 setback on December 29.
The 'Cats will be leaning heavily on their starting five to snap the team's mini-losing streak. Shay Stark enters the week as Chico State's leading scorer (12.3 points a game) and leads the CCAA in free throw shooting percentage (83.5 percent). Madison Wong (11.5 points per game) is second in the conference with 52 3-pointers, while McKena Barker (9.9 points a night) is third in the CCAA in rebounding (10.9 boards a game). Natalie Valenzuela (10.7 points a game) is fourth among conference players in blocked shots (29).
Cal State San Bernardino will counter with senior guard Jasmine Sauser, ranked second in the CCAA in scoring (17.2 points a game) and leading the Coyotes with 34 3-point buckets. Junior forward Jamellia Clark is San Bernardino's top rebounder (5.9 a contest), while sophomore guard Courtney Coleman has knocked down 29 treys on the season.
Senior guard Jordyn Shane is the big gun of a Cal Poly Pomona offense that averages 73.9 points a game. Shane is averaging 14.6 points a game, with junior forward Rebecca Islas contributing 12.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest. Junior forward Monica Todd averages 11.0 points and 5.8 rebounds a game, while junior guard Dominique Dotson is the Broncos' top long-distance shooting threat with 32 3-pointers.
San Bernardino has won six of the last eight meetings with the Wildcats, but has not won at Acker Gym in over four years. Chico State leads the all-time series 27-17.
Cal Poly Pomona has defeated the 'Cats eight times in the last nine matchups dating back to 2014. The lone Chico State victory in that stretch was a 71-59 win last season at Acker Gym. All-time, the Broncos hold a 29-24 edge over the Wildcats.
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