CHICO, Calif. – Chico State held visiting San Bernardino to just 18 percent shooting in the first half, and powered by double-digit efforts by Melissa Richardson, Natasha Smith and Renee Goldoff, the Wildcats handed the Coyotes their eighth straight defeat with a solid 58-46 victory Friday night at Acker Gym.

After spotting San Bernardino a 3-pointer to open the contest, Chico State held San Bernardino without a field goal for the next 11 minutes while the ’Cats took control of the game with a 21-1 run capped by back-to-back Richardson 3-pointers. The Coyotes got back into the game with six straight points to make the score 21-10, but Chico State kept San Bernardino at arm’s length for the rest of the half and went to intermission with a 27-16 lead.

Synchro Bull’s layup to start the second half put the Wildcats up by 13, but a 9-3 Coyotes run trimmed the Chico State lead to 32-25. But that was as close as San Bernardino would get – four points by Smith, four by Goldoff and five Jasmin Thomas free throws helped the Wildcats push their advantage to 50-32, and Chico State was never threatened the rest of the night. Richardson put an explanation point on the evening with consecutive 3-pointers, and the Wildcats cruised to their second straight victory and fourth in the last six games.

Richardson, who hit all four of her treys, led the ’Cats with 16 points; Smith added 14 and Goldoff chipped in with 10 points and six rebounds as Chico State improved to 11-9 on the season and 7-6 in the CCAA. Brittany Groves was the lone Coyote in double figures, scoring 10 points as San Bernardino fell to 7-12 on the season and 5-8 in conference play. 

The Wildcats are back in action tomorrow as they host the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona. Tipoff Saturday is 5:30 p.m. Hear all the action with Mike Baca calling the play-by-play on ESPN 101.7 FM in Chico or via the Internet on the Wildcat Athletics website. You can also follow the action with Live Stats, located on the Wildcats website.

Box Score