CHICO – While it hasn't translated to a massive amount of victories, the Chico State women's basketball team has battled all season, but long stretches of limited scoring has scuttled many a contest and has become a frustratingly frequent occurrence. The Wildcats were in the middle of another winnable game Friday against Cal State L.A., but could only manage one field goal down the stretch, allowing the visiting Golden Eagles to pull away and post a 71-64 victory at Acker Gym.
Brooke Bowen was the Wildcats'
leading scorer Friday against
Cal State L.A.Friday's loss dropped Chico State to 7-10 overall and 4-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State L.A. won its fifth straight road contest to raise its record to 9-8 on the season and 8-5 in CCAA play.
The Wildcats featured a balanced scoring attack, with all five starters registering double figures. Brooke Bowen led the way with 13 points, while Annie Ward contributed a dozen. Hannah Womack chipped in with 10 points and seven assists, with Whitney Branham and Michelle Walker scoring 10 apiece.
The first half was a back-and-forth affair that saw plenty of offense, resulting in eight tie scores and nine lead changes. The opening 20 minutes of play featured some sloppy play as well, with the Wildcats and Golden Eagles combining for 20 turnovers. Cal State L.A. went up early, but a 12-7 run – bookended by 3-pointers from Branham and Tyler Prange – put the 'Cats on top 25-21. The Golden Eagles responded with a 10-0 run to retake the lead, but 3-pointers by Womack, Walker and Chanelle Di Croce helped Chico State jump back ahead 37-34. Three Cal State L.A. free throws in the final minute knotted up the contest, and the two teams went into the locker room at halftime tied 37-37.
A pair of Bowen baskets to open the second period put the Wildcats on top 41-39, but it would turn out to be Chico State's last lead of the night. The 'Cats were outscored 16-6 over the next seven minutes, as Cal State L.A. grabbed a 55-47 lead. The Wildcats stayed close, slowly whittling away at the deficit, when a 3-pointer by Bowen and a Ward layup brought Chico State to within 63-61 with 4:47 to play.
That would be as close as the 'Cats would get, as Cal State L.A. clamped down on defense while scoring seven unanswered points to go up 70-61. Womack finally broke the Wildcat drought with a 3-pointer with 1:42 to go, but the Golden Eagles were able to run out the clock and come away with the 71-64 victory to sweep the season series.
Chico State wraps up weekend action when they host Cal State Dominguez Hills (16-5, 11-2 CCAA) Saturday at Acker Gym. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
