Box Score CHICO – The Chico State women's basketball team couldn't get its offense untracked during the first half of Friday's matchup with Cal State East Bay – and despite a spirited charge late in the contest, the lack of production in the first 20 minutes cost the Wildcats dearly. The much-improved Pioneers led from start to finish, but still had to withstand a furious Chico State rally down the stretch to come away with a 64-61 victory over the 'Cats at Acker Gym.
With Friday's loss, Chico State's modest two-game winning streak went by the boards as the Wildcats slipped to 8-5 overall and into a tie for eighth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 4-5 conference mark. Cal State East Bay won for the sixth time in its last seven games to improve to 10-6 on the season and 7-2 in CCAA play.
Annie Ward led the Wildcats in scoring, netting 14 points – all in the second half. Three other 'Cats delivered double-digit performances – Hannah Womack came off the bench to score 11, while McKenzie Dalthorp and Courtney Hamilton chipped in with 10 apiece. Danielle Peacon led four Cal State East Bay players in double figures Friday, scoring 16 points to go along with 16 rebounds, four blocks and three steals.
The Pioneers set the tone in the game's opening minutes, building an early 10-5 advantage. A Jazmine Miller 3-pointer – her lone bucket of the contest – pulled the 'Cats to within two, but East Bay, forcing turnovers on defense and getting numerous second-chance shots on offense, outscored Chico State 21-9 over the next 12 minutes to go up 31-17. A three-point play by Womack highlighted a 7-2 Wildcat run headed into halftime, but a jumper by Tori Breshers as time ran out gave the Pioneers a 35-24 lead at intermission.
Chico State played with considerably more fire in the second half, but could do little to chip away at the East Bay lead. A Hamilton jumper pulled the 'Cats to within 41-34, but once again the Pioneers answered, scoring 10 of the next 13 points to push the advantage to 51-37 with 8:58 remaining. The Wildcats came alive offensively over the three-and-a-half minutes – Womack and Ward both nailed 3-pointers, Hamilton knocked home a jumper and a two-point bucket by Ward capped off a 13-1 run to clip East Bay's lead down to 52-51.
The Pioneers scored a couple of much-needed baskets to put some distance between them and the hard-charging Wildcats, and with 1:33 to go, East Bay was up 60-55. Baskets by Ward and Hamilton made it a one-point game, but the Pioneers converted a layup to make the score 62-59 with 11 seconds left. Hamilton drove the length of the floor and was fouled as she made a layup, but her attempt to complete a three-point play and tie the game came up short as she missed the free throw. The 'Cats were forced to immediately foul Peacon, who made both of her free throws to put the Pioneers up by three. Chico State had one more chance to tie it, but Annie Ward's 3-point attempt misfired as time expired, and East Bay held on for the 64-61 victory.
The Wildcats wrap up weekend action Saturday against Cal State Monterey Bay (3-9, 0-9 CCAA). Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
