Box Score TURLOCK – It took awhile for Chico State women’s basketball team to heat up offensively, but with the defense holding Cal State Stanislaus to just 26 percent shooting on the night, the Wildcats slowly picked up steam, building a 14-point halftime lead and then connecting on half of their 32 shots in the second half to cruise to a 78-42 victory over the host Warriors at Fitzpatrick Arena in Turlock.
In winning its California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener, Chico State improved to 2-0 on the season. Cal State Stanislaus fell to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Jazmine Miller connected on three of the Wildcats’ eight 3-pointers, and McKenzie Dalthorp scored 13 points in the second half to lead Chico State with 15 points apiece. Three other ’Cats scored in double figures: Monnie Davidson-Mays collected 10 points to go along with seven rebounds; Hannah Womack delivered 10 points and a team-high five assists, and Sam Messersmith came off the bench to bury a trio of 3-pointers and finish with 10 points while adding six rebounds. Lauren Godde led Cal State Stanislaus, posting a double-double with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds.
The scoring was spotty early in the first half, but Chico State, on the strength of 3-pointers by Miller and Messersmith, jumped out to an 8-3 lead. When Stanislaus pulled to within three at 14-11, the Wildcats answered with a 9-3 run – bookended by layups by Miller and Courtney Hamilton – to go up 23-14. Despite shooting just 23 percent in the period, the Warriors chipped away at the deficit, but with the score 25-19, Womack buried a trey to kick-start a 9-1 run to close out the half, and the ’Cats went into intermission with a double-digit lead, 34-20.
Chico State carried its offensive momentum into the second 20-minute stanza. A triple by Miller, a 3-point play by Dalthorp and a Davidson-Mays layup put the Wildcats up 42-20, and by pushing the ball up the floor at every opportunity, Chico State quickly extended its advantage to 52-26. Stanislaus was able to slow the ’Cats down long enough to score seven straight points and pull to within 52-33 with just under 12 minutes to play, but a Dalthorp layup and another Miller 3-pointer made it a 57-35 contest. Still leading by 19 with seven minutes left, Chico State effectively put the game away with an 11-0 run highlighted by a pair of Messersmith 3-pointers and a trey by Annie Ward, giving the Wildcats a comfortable 68-38 advantage. The Warriors could get no closer than 28 points the rest of the way, and the Wildcats easily rolled to the 78-42 victory.
The Wildcats have no more games scheduled during Thanksgiving week. Chico State returns to action Friday, Nov. 30, hosting Cal Poly Pomona at Acker Gym, followed by a Saturday, Dec. 1 matchup against Humboldt State. Tipoff for both contests are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
