MONMOUTH, Ore. – It's safe to say the Chico State women's basketball team succeeded on many levels Sunday as a result of its 76-59 win over Saint Martin's at the Western Oregon Hampton Inn D2 Shootout. Head Coach Brian Fogel's players are brimming with confidence and head into California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener in two weeks with nothing but positive momentum as the Wildcats close out pre-conference play with a perfect 4-0 record.
 
As was the case in Saturday's win over Western Oregon, Chico State never trailed Sunday against Saint Martin's, building a 15 point halftime advantage and taking full control of the contest in the third quarter, pushing the lead to 23 before settling for the 17-point victory.
 
All four of the 'Cats wins this season have been by double digits, with Chico State's defense holding the opposition to an average of 49.5 points a contest.
 
Whitney Branham led a balanced Wildcat attack, knocking down a pair of 3-pointers to finish with 13 points. Kayla Taylor netted a dozen for the 'Cats, with Irie Stokes posting 10 points and pulling down six rebounds. Brooke Bowen scored nine points, racked up five assists and grabbed three steals, while Natalie Valenzuela led Chico State with nine rebounds on the afternoon.
 
Chico used a Branham 3-pointer, a Taylor layup and a McKena Barker free throw to bolt out to an early 6-1 lead. Saint Martin's closed to within one, but the Wildcats answered with a 13-1 run – fueled by three straight fastbreak layups and a Stokes 3-pointer – to go up 19-6. Baskets by Bowen and Sherise Porchia gave the 'Cats a 23-13 lead at the end of the first quarter.
 
The Saints scored seven of the first nine points in the second period to whittle Chico State's advantage to 25-20. The Wildcats led 30-24 when they came out of a timeout with a 9-0 run – Stokes and Branham each nailed a 3-pointer while Michelle Townsend delivered a three-point play – to extend the 'Cats' advantage to 39-24. Taylor dropped in a layup just before the horn, giving Chico State a 41-26 halftime lead.
 
A pair of Saint Martin's free throws opened the third quarter, but the Wildcats proceeded to open up the throttle and run the Saints ragged, going on a 15-5 run – Townsend and Bowen each draining 3-pointers – to open up a 56-33 lead. By the end of the end of the period Chico State was still up big, 60-38.
 
Saint Martin's crept to within 15 points early in the fourth quarter, but again Chico State had an answer to the Saints' charge. Branham dropped in a layup while Taylor and Sammy DeHart converted three-point plays to boost the 'Cats' lead back to 19 points, and Saint Martin's could get no closer than 15 the rest of the way. DeHart completed the day's scoring by burying a hook shot, and the Wildcats cruised to the 76-59 victory.    
 
The Wildcats will break for the Thanksgiving holiday before preparing for their Dec. 4 CCAA opener versus San Francisco State.