SACRAMENTO – One exhibition game is far too small a sample size to gauge how well the Chico State women's basketball team will do in 2014-15, but if the Wildcats' Saturday night contest against Division I Sacramento State turns out to be an accurate indication, the points will be plenty and the team just plain exciting to watch this season. The 'Cats scored 52 points in the second half alone in bowing to the host Hornets 135-95.
 
Hannah Womack led the Chico State offense, scoring 18 of her 24 points in the first half. Annie Ward scored 20 points – all in the second half – hitting seven of nine shots and all three of her 3-point attempts. McKena Barker, one of seven brand-new Wildcats, contributed 10 points, while fellow newcomers Whitney Branham and Brooke Bowen each collected eight points and eight rebounds. Redshirt freshman Courtney Brignac added seven assists to the 'Cats' attack.
 
Chico State gave Sacramento State all it could handle throughout most of the high-scoring first half. Womack scored five quick points to put the Wildcats in front 11-9 five minutes into the contest. The score was tied when the Hornets went ahead to stay at 19-17, but Womack's hot hand kept the 'Cats close, and back-to-back layups by Barker and Lauren Johnson pulled Chico State to within 37-35. The Hornets answered with a 19-8 run over the last four minutes to take a 56-43 halftime lead.
 
The second half was pretty much all Sacramento State, as the Hornets began the period on a 12-2 run and eventually built a 37-point lead at 109-72 with just under seven minutes to play. Chico State played the Hornets pretty even down the stretch, as Ward sank a pair of 3-pointers in the final five minutes, but Sacramento State came away with the 135-95 victory.

BOX SCORE
 
The Wildcats officially kick off the 2014-15 campaign next Saturday afternoon at Acker Gym when they host Dominican in the 42nd annual Carl's Jr. Coslet Classic. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.