Box Score CHICO – The fans at Acker Gym were treated Saturday to one of the most wild, physical, frenetic, fast-moving games in quite some time…and we actually may be understating it a bit. On a night when the officials used their whistles sparingly and let Chico State and San Francisco State play, the Wildcat women scored seven unanswered points in the final two minutes and denied the Gators on three last-second shots to pull out an exciting 67-66 victory to extend the 'Cats win streak to five.
The victory not only improved Chico State's overall record to 13-5, it moved the Wildcats into a tie with Cal State L.A. and Cal State East Bay for third place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 9-5 conference mark. San Francisco State dropped its seventh decision in the last 11 games to fall to 11-9 on the season and 7-7 in CCAA play.
Jazmine Miller hit three 3-pointers on the night and finished with a team-high 15 points for the victorious Wildcats. Courtney Hamilton scored 14 points, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out seven assists, while Hannah Womack knocked down a trio of treys on the way to an 11-point performance. Analise Riezebos hauled in 11 rebounds, with Michelle Walker and Ashtyn Anderson contributing a combined 10 rebounds off the bench. Katie Batlin led San Francisco State with a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double in a losing effort.
The Gators led for most of the opening period, twice extending their advantage to seven before Chico State used an 18-6 run – highlighted by 3-pointers by Womack, Miller and Sarah Rebibo – to put the 'Cats' up 30-25. San Francisco State answered by scoring 10 of the next 13 points to go back in front, but a 3-pointer by Miller with six seconds left gave Chico State a 36-35 halftime lead.
San Francisco State came roaring out of the gate in the second half, outscoring Chico State 10-2 in the first three minutes to go back out in front 45-38. The Wildcats stayed close, but the Gators kept things at a breakneck pace as they pushed their advantage to eight at 59-51 with 9:35 to go.
Courtney Hamilton continued to push the ball upcourt, and her two 3-point plays pulled the Wildcats to within 63-60. The Chico State offense then proceeded to go silent for the next four-and-a-half minutes, allowing San Francisco State to go up 66-60 with 2:32 remaining. Womack immediately cut the deficit in half with a 3-pointer, and a Miller offensive board and layup brought Chico State to within one with 1:40 to play. The 'Cats converted a stop on the defensive end, and Hamilton once again flew down the court, leading the fastbreak and sinking a layup that curled down the rim before dropping, giving the Wildcats a 67-66 lead with 1:02 to go.
The Gators promptly turned the ball over, but a Chico State miscue gave it right back to San Francisco State with 33 seconds to play. The Gators missed a pair of long jumpers, but were able to snare two big offensive rebounds and retain possession with just over eight seconds remaining. The Wildcats, with only three team fouls, immediately fouled on three straight inbounds plays, shaving five seconds off the clock and forcing San Francisco State to have to throw up a desperation shot at the buzzer. Batlin's long jumper was well off the mark, allowing Chico State to escape with the come-from-behind 67-66 victory.
Chico State is back in action next weekend, hosting UC San Diego on Friday and Cal State San Bernardino Saturday at Acker Gym. Tipoff for both games is 5:30 p.m.
