Forty solid minutes. That's what the Chico State women's basketball team strives for on a nightly basis, but of late that goal has proven elusive. The Wildcats have consistently looked strong in the first quarter, and Saturday against Cal State San Marcos, they went one better, playing one of their best halves of the season. But a below-par third quarter would ultimately do the 'Cats in, and despite wiping out an 11-point deficit to tie the game with 1:19 remaining, the visiting Cougars scored the final eight points of the contest to come away with a 71-63 victory at Acker Gym.
Saturday's loss – Chico State's fourth in a row – dropped the Wildcats to 4-4 overall and 0-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State San Marcos, the newest member of the CCAA, improved to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
Whitney Branham led the Wildcats Saturday with 16 points and shared top rebounding honors with Sherise Porchia, with each pulling down seven boards on the night. Natalie Valenzuela contributed 11 points, while McKena Barker chipped in with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and four steals.
The opening quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with two early 3-pointers by Michelle Townsend keeping the Wildcats close. Layups by Valenzuela and Brooke Bowen late in the period put the 'Cats on top, giving Chico State a 16-15 lead going into the second quarter.
The Wildcats looked even stronger in the second quarter. Holding Cal State San Marcos to just 11 points, Chico State rode a late 11-2 run – highlighted by three Valenzuela buckets, including her first career 3-pointer – to go into the locker room at halftime with a 33-26 lead.
Cal State San Marcos came out smoking in the third quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 21-3 over the first six minutes to roar out in front by 11. The Cougars still led 53-42 when the 'Cats started chipping away at the deficit – a Barker jumper and a three-point play by Branham bookended a quick 7-2 run to shave the San Marcos lead to six heading into the fourth quarter.
The Cougars were able to keep the 'Cats at arms length though the first seven minutes of the final period, and led 63-56 with 3:03 remaining. Branham, though, proceeded to put the Wildcats on her back, scoring seven unanswered points on a jump shot and five straight free throws (she finished the night 10-for-10 from the line) to pull Chico State even at 63-all with 1:19 left to play.
That would prove to be the Wildcats' last hurrah: the Cougars' Paige Barber immediately put San Marcos back on top with a 3-pointer, and three Chico State turnovers down the stretch foiled any chance of once again catching up. The Cougars hit five free throws in the final minute to lock down the 71-63 victory.
The Wildcats play their final game before the holiday break next Saturday in Rohnert Park, taking on the Seawolves of Sonoma State. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
