Since late November, things have been going well for the Chico State women's basketball team. In addition to winning their last two contests and seven of the last nine, the Wildcats now have a four-game home stand to look forward to, which will see head coach Brian Fogel's squad play in the friendly confines of Acker Gym through January 14. This week, the 'Cats host two formidable foes, taking on No. 20 Cal State Dominguez Hills Thursday at 5:30 p.m., and Cal State East Bay 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 enters the week 8-4 on the season and in sole possession of fourth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 4-2 conference record. After entering the December holiday break with a win over non-conference opponent Pacific Union, the Wildcats opened 2023 with a thrilling 64-62 road victory over Stanislaus State.
Chico State continues to be one of the most productive offenses among the 12 CCAA teams, ranking third in the conference in scoring with an average of 68 points a game. The Wildcats lead the CCAA with 96 3-pointers, and are second in the conference in free throw shooting percentage (72.9 percent). Defensively, the 'Cats have surrendered just 59.6 points a contest—fifth best in the conference.
Individually, Brandy Huffhines is the 'Cats' leading scorer, averaging 12.0 points a game (13th in the CCAA). Haley Ison is averaging 10.8 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds a contest (ranking sixth among all conference players). Myli Martinez (9.7 ppg) is Chico State's top 3-point shooter with 21 treys (tied for seventh in the CCAA), while Zhane Duckett (8.7 ppg) is third in the conference with 42 assists on the season.
The Wildcats know they'll have to bring their "A" game to Acker Gym Thursday when Cal State Dominguez Hills comes to town. The Toros boast a perfect 12-0 record, rank No. 20 in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Top 25 poll, and share the top spot with Cal State San Marcos in the CCAA standings with a 6-0 conference mark.
Dominguez Hills is coming off back-to-back victories against Cal State East Bay, downing the Pioneers 75-50 on December 30 and 73-65 last Sunday.
The Toros are the CCAA's No. 1 scoring team, averaging 80.3 points a game. They're also the stingiest defensive team in the conference, allowing just 56.6 points a contest and holding opponents to a miniscule 21.5 percent field goal percentage.
Dominguez Hills features three of the CCAA's top 15 scorers: sophomore forward Asia Jordan (ninth in the conference at 13.9 points per game), senior guard Dawnyel Lair (10th at 13.3 ppg), and freshman guard Nala Williams (14th at 11.9 ppg). Jordan leads the Toros in rebounding (7.3 boards a game), with junior guard Auren Isaacson pacing the team in 3-pointers with 21.
Chico State beat Cal State Dominguez Hills twice last season, including an 83-81 victory March 3, 2022 in the CCAA Tournament quarterfinals. The Wildcats hold a 43-19 advantage in the all-time series between the two teams.
Cal State East Bay, which comes to Chico following a Thursday night tilt in Turlock against Stanislaus State, enters the week 5-5 overall and in a three-way tie for eighth place in the CCAA with a 2-4 conference record. The Pioneers, which have lost three straight prior to this week, will be playing their fourth game in nine days when they take on Chico State Saturday afternoon.
East Bay's offense is averaging 62 points a game, while on the defensive end surrender 62.4 points a contest.
The Pioneers boast three players who are scoring in double digits. Senior guard Delia Moore is averaging 11.7 points a game; senior guard Grace Campbell contributes 11.5 points a contest, and junior forward Jaela Richardson averages 11.3 points a game. Freshman guard Payton Sterk (9.3 ppg) is the Pioneers' top 3-point shooter with 21 treys on the season. Sophomore forward Taylor Linzie (4.3 ppg) ranks fifth in the CCAA in rebounding, averaging 8.1 boards a contest.
The Pioneers won the lone meeting with Chico State in 2021–22, and have won the last four head-to-head matchups with the Wildcats. The 'Cats, though, hold a sizeable 56-25 lead in the all-time series.
