It's officially time to start putting hashmarks in the "W" column. That's what the Chico State women's basketball team is saying as it gets the 2022–23 season underway this weekend, as the Wildcats compete Friday and Saturday at the two-day CCAA/PacWest Kickoff Challenge. The 'Cats go up against Fresno Pacific Friday at 5:30 p.m., then face host Dominican University Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Conlan Center in San Rafael.
Fans can follow the action of Friday's game locally on KPAY Newstalk 93.9 FM, with Mike Wessel's broadcast also simulcast on the Internet. Live streaming video (fee required) and Live Stats for the Friday and Saturday contests will also be available online; appropriate links can be found on the Wildcats Athletics website home page or the women's basketball schedule page. There will not be a radio or online play-by-play broadcast for Saturday's game.
Chico State heads into regular season play after a pair of exhibition games against Division I opponents. The Wildcats fell to the University of San Francisco 104-80 back on October 29, then dropped a 114-53 decision to the University of Nevada Las Vegas on November 2.
Headed by 15th year head coach Brian Fogel, Chico State has been picked to finish fifth this season in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) preseason coaches' poll.
Fresno Pacific, the Wildcats' season-opening opponent Friday, ended the 2021–22 campaign with a 9-15 record, and placed eighth in the Pacific West Conference with a 6-12 mark. The Sunbirds are picked to finish seventh in the 2022–23 PacWest preseason coaches' poll.
Chico State and Fresno Pacific have split their eight all-time meetings, but the Wildcats have won the last two contests, including last season's 66-57 victory November 12, 2021 at Acker Gym.
Dominican University, the CCAA/PacWest Challenge host school which takes on the 'Cats Saturday, went 18-10 in 2021–22 and finished second in the PacWest with a 15-5 record. The Penguins are once again expected to be a force in the PacWest, with Dominican picked to place second in the 2022–23 preseason coaches' poll.
Chico State holds a slim 5-4 edge in the all-time series with Dominican. The last time the two teams met, a game-ending buzzer-beating bucket by Haley Ison gave the Wildcats a 79-77 win over Dominican November 13, 2021 at Acker Gym.
