As the 2019–20 season rolls on, the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings grow tighter. The Chico State women's basketball team is right in the middle of a competitive mix, as just two games currently separate first from seventh place. The Wildcats have a golden opportunity to make up some ground on the leaders this week, as they host conference foes Cal State Dominguez Hills Thursday and Cal State LA on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action locally on Newstalk 93.9 KPAY FM. Mike Baca and Mike Wessel's broadcast will be simulcast on the Internet through the Wildcat Athletics website, which will also feature Live Stats and live streaming video.
Despite a disappointing 55-45 loss Saturday to UC Santa Cruz, Chico State—10-6 on the season—has won five of its last seven games to move into fifth place in the CCAA with a conference record of 6-4. The Wildcats trail fourth place Sonoma State by just one game, and co-conference leaders UC San Diego, Cal State East Bay, and Cal State San Marcos by just two games. The 'Cats will play each of the teams they're trying to catch once more during the regular season.
But you can bet head coach Brian Fogel has his team locked in on the task at hand—beating a pair of CCAA opponents that are a combined 16-20 on the season. The Wildcats met with mixed results the first time they tangled with Dominguez Hills and Cal State LA this season—the 'Cats were rolled by the Golden Eagles 88-50 on January 2 in Los Angeles, but bounced back two nights later to post an 81-64 road win over the Toros.
As a unit, Chico State is averaging 61.7 points a game on offense. The Wildcats boast the fourth-stingiest defense in the CCAA, allowing just 61.2 points a contest.
The Wildcats enter the week with a 4-3 record at Acker Gym.
Cal State Dominguez Hills is 8-10 overall and tied for ninth place in the CCAA with a 5-7 conference mark. The Toros have dropped three of their last five decisions, and are coming off a split last week that included a 64-58 win Thursday over Humboldt State and an 80-74 defeat to Stanislaus State on Saturday.
Even though Dominguez Hills is below the .500 mark, the Toros have had no problems scoring, averaging a CCAA-best 73.8 points a game. They've struggled on the defensive end, however, giving up over 72 points a contest.
Dominguez Hills is 4-5 this season away from its home floor, the Torodome in Carson.
The Toros have won six of the last 10 meetings against Chico State dating back to 2014, but the Wildcats have won the last three contests played at Acker Gym. The 'Cats lead the all-time series 41-18.
Saturday's game against Cal State LA is the Golden Eagles' lone contest of the week. The team, led by first year head coach Torino Johnson, is 8-10 on the season and sits in eighth place in the CCAA with a 6-6 conference record. Cal State LA has enjoyed a very successful month, winning four of its five games so far in January. Last week the Golden Eagles notched a pair of home wins, beating Stanislaus State 69-60 on Thursday and downing Humboldt State Saturday 80-74.
Cal State LA is 4-2 on its home floor, the Eagles Nest, but is 4-8 on the road this season heading into Saturday's showdown with the 'Cats.
Cal State LA is also one of the top offensive teams in the conference, averaging 69.5 points a game. Chico State will need to contain senior guard Sydney Bordonaro—the transfer from Long Beach State is third in the CCAA in scoring, averaging 17.7 points a game, and torched the Wildcats for 30 points back on January 2.
Defensively, though, the Golden Eagles have scuffled, surrendering over 71 points a contest.
Chico State has lost the last two head-to-head matchups with Cal State LA, but leads the all-time series 37-17.
