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ARCATA, Calif. – The Humboldt State women's basketball team will clash with conference rival Chico State Saturday, Dec. 15 in Lumberjack Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

The Lumberjacks (6-2, 4-1 CCAA) took care of business this past weekend as they captured their second and third consecutive victories thanks in part to the team's relentless defensive intensity. Junior guard Tyra Turner was recognized as the California Collegiate Athletic Association Player of the Week after a pair of spectacular performances. Turner led the North Coast squad on Thursday with 18 points while also swiping a career-best six steals as HSU breezed by Monterey Bay, 72-42. The San Bernardino, Calif., native ended her weekend by dropping 15 points while dishing out five assists and grabbing four steals as HSU took down Stanislaus State, 67-61.

The Jacks boast a complete team as they have the fourth-best scoring offense in the CCAA averaging 69.0 points per game while holding opponents to 55.8. Turner won't have to shoulder the offensive load all by herself as HSU is the only team in the conference with three of the top 13 scorers. Alexia Thrower averages 17.8 points per game and is third in the CCAA, while Isa Conde and Turner rank 12th and 13th averaging 13.0 points against league opponents.

"Progressing week by week and becoming more consistent as a team is always our goal," said Head Coach Michelle Bento-Jackson. "I'm very pleased that we were able to take care of our home court and pull off two victories against Monterey Bay and Stanislaus. Most importantly, I felt like we made progress as a team. We had two very different games, but the team did a good job controlling the pace."

Chico also enters the game riding a three-game winning streak after defeating Stanislaus State and Cal State East Bay last week. The Wildcats hold a better overall winning percentage with a 6-1 record, but they are currently a half game behind the Green and Gold in the CCAA standings with a conference record of 3-1. Chico State will look to its leading scorer Madison Wong (10.7 points per game) and top rebounder McKena Barker (8.9 rebounds per game) as the Wildcats look to maintain their conference success.

"The girls know what the rivalry is," said Bento-Jackson. "I don't have to say anything to give them any extra motivation in that regard. At the same time, we want to prepare for it like any other game. In my time here we are 0-2 versus Chico on our home court, and I think it's time we turn the tables on that. We have to have a great week of practice, they are a strong, solid team and we know what we need to do to prepare to win."