OAKLAND – The final pre-conference tune-up for the Chico State women's basketball team was an extremely successful one Sunday, as the Wildcats led from wire to wire to easily best Holy Names 70-40 at Tobin Gymnasium in Oakland. Despite long scoring droughts in both the first and second half, the 'Cats were never seriously challenged while holding the host Hawks to the lowest score by a Chico State opponent since limiting Cal State San Bernardino to 39 points back on Jan. 6, 2012.
 
Sunday's win improved Chico State's season record to 3-1, while Holy Names dropped its second straight decision to slip to 1-4 overall.
 
Annie Ward led the Wildcat offense, hitting four 3-pointers en route to a season-high 16 points. Brooke Bowen also posted a season high with 12 points to go along with eight rebounds, while Hannah Womack added 12 points and four assists. Chico State's defense held Holy Names to just 17 second half points, 30.2 percent shooting for the game and forced the Hawks to commit 31 turnovers.
 
Chico State got off to a hot start, hitting seven of its first 11 shots, and an 8-0 run – highlighted by layups from Womack, Natalie Valenzuela and Whitney Branham and a pair of Branham free throws – put the Wildcats up early 17-4. Following a Holy Names field goal, Bowen delivered three buckets to lead a 12-2 'Cats' run to give Chico State a hefty 29-8 lead. The Wildcats offense quieted down over the final eight minutes of the period – though Ward nailed three shots, including a 3-pointer – but with the 'Cats holding Holy Names to just one field goal over the final 5:55, Chico State boasted a 39-23 halftime lead.
 
The Wildcats wasted little time taking firm control of the contest, kicking off the second half with a pair of Bowen buckets and then going on a 22-1 run – Womack contributing six points, Michelle Walker two layups and Ward draining two 3-pointers – to put Chico State up comfortably 65-26. Holy Names finally got untracked, scoring 12 unanswered points, but it far too little and far too late as the Wildcats rolled to the 70-40 victory.
 
The Wildcats begin California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play next weekend, traveling to Southern California to take on Cal State Dominguez Hills (3-3 on the season) Friday and Cal State L.A. (1-3) on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.