CHICO – You've got to hand it to Jazmine Miller – less than a month into the new season, she's already demonstrated a definite flair for the dramatic. After sinking not one, but two game-winning shots in Chico State's exhibition victory over Division I Saint Mary's, the sophomore guard struck again Friday night at Acker Gym, draining a clutch 3-pointer with 21 seconds remaining to give the Wildcats the lead, then icing the contest with a pair of free throws as the 'Cats downed visiting Colorado Mesa, 62-59.
In winning its home opener for the 13th consecutive year, Chico State improved to 2-0 on the season. Colorado Mesa, a quality team from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, came up short in its 2011-12 season opener.
Miller led the Wildcats with 16 points on the night, with Synchro Bull adding 14. Ymonne Davidson-Mays nailed a pair of 3-pointers and finished with nine points and five rebounds, while McKenzie Dalthorp contributed eight points and a game-high 11 boards. Kelsey Sigl of Colorado Mesa led all scorers with 19 points.
Chico State jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead to start the contest, with Davidson-Mays hitting the first of her two 3's and Dalthorp dropping in a pair of buckets. Colorado Mesa responded with a 13-2 run to grab the lead, then went up 17-13 on a Katrina Selsor 3-pointer. The Wildcats came back to briefly regain the lead at 23-21, but a Hillary Duncan jumper put the Mavericks on top 27-25 with 1:19 remaining in the period. The Wildcats answered with back-to-back buckets by Dalthorp and Bull to get Chico State into the locker room with a 29-27 halftime lead.
The Wildcats scored 11 of the first 14 points in the second half – fueled by baskets by Bull, Miller, Courtney Hamilton and Samantha Messersmith, plus another Davidson-Mays 3-pointer – to extend their lead to 40-30. The 'Cats were still up 47-38 when Colorado Mesa got hot, going on an 9-1 run to cut the deficit to one. A Tara Gehring 3-pointer with 5:27 to go put the Mavericks in front, 50-48, but Miller put Chico State back in the lead with a 3-ball to make the score 55-54.
The Wildcats held on to that one-point advantage until a 3-pointer by Sigl gave Colorado Mesa a 59-57 lead with just 37 seconds left. That set the stage for Miller's last-minute heroics, as she reeled in a pass from Dalthorp and drained a 3-pointer from the right wing that put Chico State ahead to stay, 60-59. The Mavericks had a chance for the game's last shot, but turned the ball over and were forced to foul. Miller calmly toed the charity stripe and sank both free throws to push the 'Cats lead to three; Colorado Mesa's desperation 3-point attempt was well off the mark as time expired, giving Chico State the hard-fought 62-59 victory.
BOX SCORE
The Wildcats are back in action Tuesday night, traveling to San Rafael to take on Dominican University in a non-conference matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Women's Basketball Alumni Game
Fans are invited to come see several Wildcat players of the past lace 'em up again during the Chico State women's basketball alumni game, taking place at 1 p.m. Saturday at Acker Gym. The event is free to the public; Kim Abts, Taylor Lydon, Audi Spencer, Melissa Richardson, Lauren Himmelspach and Michelle Pietka are just some of the former Chico State greats that are scheduled to appear. Following the game, there will be an alumni meet-and-greet at Woodstock's Pizza, 166 East 2nd St. in downtown Chico. The public is welcome to attend.
