Any competitive athlete will tell you: you'll take a win any way you can get it. But as the Chico State women's basketball team found out last Saturday, posting a "W" without even stepping on the court is nowhere near as fulfilling. The Wildcats, though benefiting from a COVID-caused forfeit by Sonoma State to move up in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings, were nonetheless deprived of precious playing time and the chance to tighten up the team's all-around game. Following the unexpected two-week break, the 'Cats get one final opportunity before the holidays to shine, as they host the Lumberjacks of Humboldt State Saturday at Acker Gym. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
Tickets are on sale through the University Box Office and will be on sale at Acker Gym beginning Saturday at 4:30 p.m. Please note that all fans (age 12 and older) attending Chico State basketball events must show proof of their fully-vaccinated status, or a negative COVID-19 test administered by a healthcare professional from within 72 hours of the start of the event.
 
CLICK HERE FOR TICKET INFORMATION AND ONLINE PURCHASES
 
CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVID-19 ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS
 
PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with recently announced state health and safety guidelines, fans must wear masks at all times while indoors on the Chico State campus.
 
Fans unable to attend in person can follow the action locally on KPAY Sports 1290-AM Radio, with Mike Baca and Mike Wessel's broadcast also accessible on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website.
 
Live Stats and live streaming video are also available online, with links located on the Chico State women's basketball schedule page and home page calendar on the Wildcat Athletics website, at chicowildcats.com.
 
Chico State enters the week 4-4 on the season and, thanks to last weekend's forfeit "win" against Sonoma State, is alone in sixth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 2-2 conference record. The Wildcats were winners their last time out, edging Cal Poly Pomona 67-63 on December 6 to snap a four-game losing skid. Three of the 'Cats' losses during that stretch were by three points or less.
 
Chico State currently ranks fourth among the 12 CCAA teams in scoring, averaging 68.3 points a game. The Wildcats are also fourth in the conference in defense, holding opponents to 62 points a contest. Only one of the 'Cats' eight games so far this season has seen the opposition score more than 68 points.
 
Individually, the Wildcats boast a trio of double-digit scorers. Charity Gallegos leads the team and ranks 15th in the CCAA with an 11.8 points-per-game average, while ranking second in the conference in assists (5.1 a game) and fifth in steals (2.5 a contest). Myli Martinez and Bailey Jones have combined for 27 3-pointers on the season and are averaging 10.4 and 10.0 points per game, respectively.
 
Jordan Morris in among the top rebounders in the CCAA, averaging a team-high 6.8 boards a game while adding 6.8 points to the 'Cats' attack. Makenzi Laporte is averaging 5.6 rebounds and 7.4 points per contest, with Haley Ison contributing 5.1 rebounds and 8.3 point per contest.
 
Humboldt State is 3-4 overall but in fourth place in the CCAA with a 2-1 conference record. The Lumberjacks saw their three-game winning streak snapped in their last outing, bowing to Stanislaus State 51-46 Saturday in Turlock.
 
Humboldt State has not been putting up big numbers offensively so far this season, ranking 10th in the CCAA at 59.0 points a game. The Lumberjacks have been stingy on the defensive end, however, ranking fourth in the conference by allowing just 58.4 points per contest.
 
Humboldt State is led by freshman forward Madison Parry and junior guard Julia Iman. Parry ranks in the CCAA top 10 in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.9 points and 8.1 boards a game. Iman is second in the conference in rebounding (9.1 boards a contest), while scoring at a 13.7 points-per-game clip.
 
Freshman guard Kaz Parks is averaging 10.3 points a game and is Humboldt's most dangerous long-distance shooting threat, knocking down 14 3-pointers on the season.
 
Saturday marks the 101st meeting between the Chico State and Humboldt State women's basketball teams, with the Wildcats owning a 72-28 lead in the all-time series. The 'Cats have won 16 of the last 20 matchups with the 'Jacks dating back to the 2002–03 season.