The Chico State women's basketball team knows it has more hoops action ahead, but the Wildcats are not about to mail in the last two games of the regular season. The 'Cats need to keep winning not only take some positive momentum into next week's California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament, but to boost its chances to earn an NCAA Championship Tournament berth. The Wildcats are in Southern California to take on Cal State San Bernardino Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Cal Poly Pomona Saturday at 1 p.m.
Fans can follow the action locally on KPAY Sports 1290-AM, with Mike Baca handling the play-by-play Thursday night and Mike Wessels on the call Saturday afternoon, with both broadcasts also 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.
With victories last week over San Francisco State and Cal State Monterey Bay, Chico State has won nine of its last 11 to move to 18-8 on the season and into a tie with Cal State LA for third place in the CCAA standings with a 14-6 conference mark. The Wildcats have already clinched a spot in the CCAA Tournament, but with only eight teams from the West qualifying for the NCAA Tournament, they'll need to finish strong to get an invite to the dance. Chico State is currently on the outside looking in, ranked No. 9 in the latest NCAA West Region rankings.
The 'Cats are shooting for a series sweep of Cal State San Bernardino, with Chico State winning the first meeting with the 'Yotes 67-56 January 14 at Acker Gym. The Wildcats lost to Cal Poly Pomona 68-63 on January 12, and will be looking to square the regular season series with the Broncos.
Chico State ranks fourth among the 12 CCAA in both team offense and defense. The Wildcats are scoring at a 67.3 points per game clip, while giving up 61.3 points a contest. The Wildcats are second in the conference in 3-pointers (190) and free-throw percentage (74.9 percent), and third in assists (341).
The Wildcats head into the final week of the regular season with a 7-4 road record.
Cal State San Bernardino, Chico State's Thursday night opponent, is 13-13 on the season and 8-12 in CCAA play. The 'Yotes have been eliminated from conference tournament contention, but have been playing well over the past two weeks. San Bernardino saw its three-game winning streak snapped last Saturday, though, falling to Sonoma State 59-56.
The 'Yotes average 63.4 points a game on the offensive end, while defensively surrender 64.3 points a contest.
Playing at home, Cal State San Bernardino is 9-6 on the season.
In the all-time series between the two teams, Chico State holds a 30-19 advantage over San Bernardino.
Though they have lost six of their last nine contests, Cal Poly Pomona (15-9, 12-8 CCAA) is ranked No. 7 in the latest NCAA West Region rankings. The Broncos split their two games last week, dropping a 69-62 decision to Sonoma State before beating Cal Poly Humboldt 71-53. They take on the Wildcats Saturday after a Thursday night contest against Stanislaus State.
Cal Poly Pomona is 6-4 on the season on its home floor, Kellogg Arena.
As a team, Cal Poly Pomona averages 66.2 points a game on offensive, and gives up 62.8 points on the defensive end.
The Broncos hold a slim 31-28 lead over the Wildcats in the all-time series.
