After suffering a tough two-point loss in its home opener two weeks ago, the Chico State women's basketball team has enjoyed a very successful roll that has seen the Wildcats win their last three contests. The 'Cats will look to continue their good fortune this week when they entertain a pair of tough conference opponents at Acker Gym. Chico State takes on Cal State LA Thursday at 5:30 p.m., then goes head-to-head with Cal State San Marcos Saturday at 1 p.m.
Fans can follow the action of both games locally on KPAY Sports 1290-AM, with Mike Baca and Mike Wessel's broadcast simulcast on the Internet. Live Stats and live streaming video are also available online, with links located on the Wildcat Athletics homepage and the women's basketball schedule page. Accessing the live video stream requires a monthly subscription fee that grants users access to every CCAA event on the network, home and away.
Chico State is 4-2 on the season and 1-0 in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play. The Wildcats kicked off the conference slate in successful fashion last Saturday, revving up the offense to post an 85-70 victory over Stanislaus State.
The Wildcats are averaging 66 points a game on offense so far this season, while on the defensive end have surrendered 60.2 points per contest.
Individually, Haley Ison is the 'Cats' top scorer, averaging 11.2 points a game. The senior forward also leads the team in rebounding, with her 8.7 boards a game average third best in the CCAA. Senior guard Myli Martinez (averaging 9.0 ppg) leads the conference in free throw percentage (85 percent), while junior guard Zhane Duckett (9.7 ppg) ranks fourth in the CCAA with 20 assists on the season.
Cal State LA, the Wildcats' Thursday night opponent, is 2-2 overall and will be playing its first game of the conference season. The Golden Eagles have dropped two straight entering play, including their most recent contest, a 58-52 loss November 23 to UC Riverside.
The Golden Eagles are averaging a healthy 68 points a game on offense, but Cal State LA ranks last in the CCAA on defense, giving up 68.5 points a contest.
Sophomore guard Lily Buggs leads Cal State LA in scoring (13.8 points per game, sixth in the CCAA) and her 10 rebounds a contest is tied for the conference lead. Junior guard Nicole Flennaugh is also in the conference top 10 in scoring (13 ppg) and is tied for third among CCAA players with 12 3-pointers.
The Golden Eagles won the lone meeting with Chico State last season, beating the Wildcats 72-52 February 17 in Los Angeles. The 'Cats hold a 38-18 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams.
Cal State San Marcos, which comes to Chico Saturday after its conference opener Thursday against Stanislaus State, is 3-1 on the young season and is ranked No. 19 in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) national Top 25 poll. The CCAA's 2021–22 regular season champion was a winner in its last contest, edging Westminster (Utah) 59-56 Friday in Azusa.
The Cougars enter the week averaging 63 points a game on offense; defensively, San Marcos has held opponents to just 58 points per contest.
The Cougars are led by senior guard Kelsey Forrester, averaging 14 points a game while sinking a team-high 11 3-pointers. Senior forward Kate Carlson is the top rebounder for San Marcos, pulling down 6.7 boards a contest.
San Marcos posted three wins over Chico State last season, including a 73-60 victory in the semifinal round of the 2021–22 CCAA Tournament. In the all-time series, the Cougars lead the 'Cats 8-4.
