ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Sub-par shooting is a big reason the Chico State women’s basketball team has struggled a bit this season. Sunday, however, they shot a season-high 44 percent and made 19 of 21 free throws to beat Kentucky State 59-55 on the final day of the 2008 Hampton Inn & Suites Basketball Classic in Rohnert Park. The Wildcats lost the tournament-opener to Grand Canyon on Saturday, 64-54.

By handing Kentucky State just its second loss of the season, the Wildcats improved to 5-4.

Renee Goldoff led Chico State with 15 points, six rebounds, and two blocked shots. Christine Vest added 13 points and seven rebounds. Natasha Smith chipped in 10 points and three assists. Cory Edwards made two key free throws in the closing seconds to finish with six points and she also blocked a career-high four shots.

The Wildcats led by as many as 14 points in the second half, but Kentucky State cut the lead to one three times in the final 2:28. The first time, Smith made a pair of free throws. Goldoff’s two free throws with 35 seconds to play stretched Chico State’s lead to 56-53. Edwards made two free throws with 14 seconds left to again build the Wildcats’ cushion to three, and Melissa Richardson made one-of-two charity shots with two seconds remaining that sealed the win.

Saturday against Grand Canyon, the Wildcats simply couldn’t get their shots to fall. They were just 21-of-56 from the floor, including 1-of-8 from 3-point range, and only 14-of-22 from the free throw line. Vest led the team with 14 points, while Richardson finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Box Score vs. Grand Canyon
Box Score vs. Kentucky State