Box Score CHICO – Never mind the dismal win-loss record. Throw out the idea that just because the Cal State San Bernardino women's basketball team came into Acker Gym Saturday having lost five straight, it would be easy pickings for the red-hot Chico State Wildcats. For the second time this season, the Coyotes gave the 'Cats all they could handle, and it took a McKenzie Dalthorp layup with three seconds left to give Chico State an exciting 74-72 victory and run the Wildcats' winning streak to seven.
Chico State improved to 15-5 overall with Saturday's victory, remaining in a three-way tie with Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills for second place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with an 11-5 conference mark. Cal State San Bernardino suffered its sixth straight setback to slip to 4-15 on the season and 3-13 in CCAA play.
Dalthorp matched her career high with 20 points on the night to go along with seven rebounds for the Wildcats. Annie Ward contributed 15 points, while Jazmine Miller posted a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Analise Riezebos chipped in with 10 points and eight boards, as Chico State shot 50.8 percent from the field.
It took awhile for the two teams to get untracked offensively, needing six minutes to split the first 20 points of the contest. The Wildcats then mounted a 14-4 run – highlighted by three Dalthorp baskets – to go up 24-14. San Bernardino responded by scoring 15 of the next 19 points to move in front 29-28. The Coyotes were still up 31-30 when Ward and Courtney Hamilton converted layups in the final minute to give the 'Cats a 34-31 halftime lead.
The game was tied at 46-all with 10:37 to play when Cal State San Bernardino went ahead and slowly built a 56-50 lead. Chico State whittled the deficit to one, only to see Alexcia Mack of the Coyotes hit a jumper and a 3-pointer to extend San Bernardino's advantage to 65-59. Ward drained a 3-pointer and baskets by Miller and Dalthorp once again pulled the 'Cats to within a point, but with 2:12 remaining, the Coyotes were hanging on to 69-66 lead.
Chico State then roared out in front – Miller delivered a bucket off an offensive rebound, Hamilton made good on a fastbreak layup, and Miller drained a pair of free throws – to give the Wildcats a 72-69 lead with 19 seconds to play. San Bernardino needed just six ticks of the clock to tie up the contest, courtesy of a 3-pointer by Mack. Chico State took over possession, and Hamilton's jump shot failed to fall – but Dalthorp was there to grab the offensive board and convert what would be the game-winning layup. A desperation shot by Mack at the buzzer was off the mark, and the Wildcats escaped with the 74-72 victory.
Chico State will hit the road for its next four games. The Wildcats face two of the top teams in the CCAA next weekend, taking on Cal State L.A. on Friday and Cal State Dominguez Hills Saturday. Both contests are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.
