CHICO – The Chico State women's basketball team played catch-up for much of the night Saturday against Sonoma State, trailing at one point by as many as 10. But catch-up is exactly what a determined, never-say-die Wildcats squad did, nailing the game-tying shot in the final minute of regulation, then following up the late-game heroics with 14 points in overtime to down the visiting Seawolves 63-56 at Acker Gym.
 
With its fifth straight victory over Sonoma State, Chico State won its second in a row to improve to 6-8 on the season and 3-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Seawolves dropped their fourth straight decision to fall to 6-8 overall and 4-6 in CCAA play.

 

Freshman guard Whitney Branham turned in a career performance, posting career highs with 19 points, five 3-point buckets and seven rebounds while also dishing out three assists. Hannah Womack scored in double digits for the 14th straight game with 14 points to go along with seven boards, and Brooke Bowen posted her second double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
 
Sonoma State threatened to run away with the contest early, but a pair of Branham 3-pointers kept the Wildcats close. Her second trey tied the score at 13-all, but the Seawolves proceeded to rip off a 12-2 run to take a commanding 25-15 lead with 2:28 left in the opening period. Thanks to a Womack 3-pointer and two Branham free throws, Chico State cut the deficit in half and trailed 25-20 at intermission.
 
Sonoma State maintained some portion of its lead through the first 10 minutes of the second half, but with the score 36-29, the Wildcats reeled off 11 unanswered points – a Bowen 3-pointer and baskets by Womack, Branham, Annie Ward and Chanelle Di Croce putting Chico State in front 40-36. The Seawolves came back twice to tie the contest, then reclaimed the lead 49-47 with 2:02 to go. While the Wildcats' defense held Sonoma scoreless down the stretch, Womack corralled a missed 3-point attempt by Ward and knocked down a jumper with less than a minute left to tie the contest and send the game  into overtime.
 
The 'Cats never trailed in the extra period, as 3-pointers by Branham and Ward capped off a 7-0 run to put Chico State in front 56-49. Sonoma State pulled to within four, but Ashtyn Anderson buried a clutch jumper to extend the Wildcats' advantage to six at 60-54. The Seawolves were held without a field goal for the final 1:30, and three late free throws by Womack sealed the deal as the 'Cats came away with the 63-56 victory.
 
Chico State hits the road next weekend for a pair of conference matchups. Friday the Wildcats will be in Hayward to take on Cal State East Bay, then travel to Seaside Saturday to battle Cal State Monterey Bay. Both games will tip off at 5:30 p.m.