The Chico State women's basketball team experienced both ends of the spectrum during last week's Southern California road trip. The Wildcats played perhaps its worst game of the season January 2 in a loss to Cal State LA, but rebounded to score a season-high 81 points Saturday in 17-point pasting of Cal State Dominguez Hills. The 'Cats are back on the road for a single game this week, traveling to the Bay Area to take on the Gators of San Francisco State. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
Fans can follow the action locally on Newstalk 93.9 KPAY FM. Mike Baca's broadcast will be simulcast on the Internet through the Wildcat Athletics website, which will also feature Live Stats and live streaming video.
Chico State is 9-5 on the season and in the thick of the California Collegiate Athletic Association race with a 5-4 conference record. Despite falling to Cal State LA last week, the Wildcats have won five of their last six games entering Thursday's matchup with San Francisco State.
Chico State is averaging 63.1 points per game on offense this season, but lead the CCAA in 3-point baskets with 112. The 'Cats rank among the top six teams in the CCAA in defense, allowing 62.6 points per contest.
The Wildcats head to the Bay Area sporting a 5-3 road record this season.
Maddy Wong, coming off a sensational week which saw her bury a dozen 3-pointers and average nearly 20 points a game, leads the Wildcats in scoring (13.1 points a game) and is ninth among all CCAA players. Wong, who is just 19 treys away from becoming Chico State's all-time 3-point leader, is second in the conference in both 3-pointers (51) and 3-point field goal percentage (45.5 percent).
Daisha Abdelkader ranks among the conference leaders in assists. The junior point guard is sixth in the CCAA in both assists (53) and assists per game (3.8).
San Francisco State has struggled so far this season. The Gators, coached by former Chico State great Natasha Smith, is 1-10 entering Thursday's contest and is tied for 12th place in the CCAA with a 1-7 conference record. San Francisco State has been playing better of late, however, as evidenced by the team's 77-49 blasting of Cal State San Bernardino last Thursday. The Gators' first win of the season was followed by a 77-67 loss Saturday to Cal Poly Pomona.
Though their win-loss record doesn't indicate it, the Gators generate a sizable amount of offense, averaging 65.8 points a game. It's on the defensive end that San Francisco State has scuffled—it surrenders 76.2 points a contest, and ranks dead last among the CCAA's 13 conference teams.
The Gators are 1-3 this season on their home floor, The Swamp.
San Francisco State boasts no less than five double-digit scorers so far in 2019–20. Freshman forward Jolene Armendariz is averaging 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds a game, while sophomore guard Taimane Lesa-Hardee contributes 11.2 points and 5.7 rebounds a contest, leading the team with 18 3-pointers. Junior guard Ashley Hart, sophomore forward Madison Corder, and freshman forward Muirae Gomez combined to average over 31 points and 14.5 rebounds a night.
The Wildcats and Gators split the season series in 2018–19, with each team winning on the other's home floor. Chico State has won six of the last seven meetings with San Francisco State, and leads the all-time series 76-24.
