'Cats get conference season cookin' Tuesday against Cal State Stanislaus

CHICO – After watching the Wildcats put together a pair of 18-point victories in last weekend’s Coslet Classic, Chico State women’s basketball Head Coach Brian Fogel is more convinced than ever that he’s got the ingredients necessary to provide the Wildcats with a recipe for success this season. The ’Cats served up tenacious defense and solid shooting while constantly pushing the ball up the floor and keeping the tempo on high heat in wins over Academy of Art and Hawaii Pacific, and Tuesday Chico State will attempt to create another tasty 40 minutes of basketball for its fans at Acker Gym in the team’s California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference opener against Cal State Stanislaus. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

The front end of a home-and-home series that bookends the Thanksgiving holiday (the two teams will meet up again Saturday in Turlock) pits the 2-0 Wildcats against the 1-1 Warriors. While Chico State was taking care of business at the Coslet Classic, Cal State Stanislaus had its way with NAIA opponent Cal Maritime, beating the Keelhaulers Saturday 100-46 in Turlock. The Warriors’ only other pre-conference game was a 72-49 loss to No. 18 Wayne State (Neb.) on Nov. 12.

Cal State Stanislaus, under ninth year Head Coach Sharon Turner, is looking to improve on its 10-16 record from last season. Chico State and Stanislaus split a two-game series in 2009-10 – the Wildcats lost to the Warriors on the road 63-48 on Jan. 19, with the ’Cats chalking up a 68-54 victory Feb. 9 at Acker Gym. All-time, Chico State has won 46 of 71 meetings with Stanislaus.

Tuesday’s contest will feature a pair of talented CCAA First Teamers – Natasha Smith, who Monday was named the conference’s Player of the Week, is averaging a team-high 11 points a game for Chico State; she also leads the Wildcats in assists and rebounds. Stanislaus will counter with senior F/C Katie Busi, who thanks to a 22-point, 15-rebound performance against Cal Maritime, is averaging 16.5 points and 12.5 boards a game.

Chico State boasts four other players (Courtney Harrison, Kristin Marquardt, Pauline Ferrall and Molly Collins) averaging at least 8.5 points a contest, while two guards for Stanislaus – senior Andreanna Marshall and junior Theresa Henderson – are averaging a combined 20 points and 11 rebounds a night.

Tuesday’s Chico State-Cal State Stanislaus matchup will be available on Live Stats on the Chico State Athletics website. The game will also be broadcast live on ESPN 101.7 and 1340 AM locally, and through the Wildcat Athletics website.