Box Score CHICO – The Chico State women's basketball team shook off its recent offensive woes Friday by shooting over 55 percent from the field and 57 percent from 3-point range, but in crunch time it was the Wildcat defense that stepped up big time, holding Cal State Dominguez Hills without a field goal for the final 3:42 to edge the Toros 80-78 in a wild, high-scoring affair at Acker Gym.
The win – Chico State's ninth straight over Dominguez Hills since the 2008-09 season – moved the Wildcats to 7-4 overall and 3-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Toros saw their six-game winning streak go by the boards, falling to 8-3 on the season and 4-3 in CCAA play.
Hannah Womack led Chico State with 16 points on the night, while Jazmine Miller buried three 3-pointers to finish with 13. McKenzie Dalthorp added 12 points, with Michelle Walker and Sarah Rebibo coming off the bench to chip in a combined 15 points. Courtney Hamilton netted nine points and dished out 10 assists, and Analise Riezebos hauled in seven rebounds for the victorious 'Cats. Tayler Champion of Cal State Dominguez Hills led all scorers with 27 points, with teammate Monay Lee adding 21 – 17 coming in the opening half.
Dominguez Hills took control of the contest early, using 3-pointers by Champion and Simone Thompson to build a hefty 17-6 lead. Chico State pulled even with a 21-10 run – Rebibo hitting a pair of 3-pointers and burying the jumper that tied the game at 27-all. The Toros promptly used a 7-0 run to go back in front, but with the score 36-30, the Wildcats got a pair of treys from Miller and one from Womack to key an 11-4 run in the final 2:38 of the period to lead 41-40 at halftime.
The 'Cats came out firing in the second half, boosting their lead to eight with 15:03 to play. Dominguez Hills, though, came roaring back, as two more Champion 3-pointers sparked a 13-4 run and put the Toros back in front 61-60. The game went back and forth with four tie scores and three lead changes before Chico State scored eight unanswered points – three coming on a 3-pointer from Walker – to put the Wildcats on top 75-67 with 6:10 to go.
With 3:42 remaining, a 3-pointer by Champion capped off a 9-3 Dominguez Hills run and trimmed the 'Cats' lead to 78-76. The Chico State defense deftly dug in, surrendering just a pair of free throws down the stretch – but it took a huge game-ending play by Hamilton to seal the victory. Champion tried to heave up a last-second 3-pointer to win it for the Toros, but Hamilton blocked the shot cleanly as time ran out, giving the Wildcats a thrilling 80-78 triumph.
The Wildcats wrap up the weekend Saturday with another stiff test, as they host the Golden Eagles of Cal State L.A. (8-3, 5-2 CCAA); tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM and simulcast Wildcat Athletics website, with Mike Baca and Mike Wessels handling the play-by-play. Live Stats will also be available online.
