ARCATA – The good news: the Chico State women's basketball team's roughest road trip of the season is officially in the rear view mirror. The bad news: the Wildcats don't have much to show for it. After dropping a 72-51 decision to Cal State San Bernardino Thursday in Southern California, the 'Cats were in the northern part of the state Saturday to take on CCAA co-leader Humboldt State, which handed Chico State a 85-65 defeat at Lumberjack Arena.  
 
Saturday's loss – Chico State's third straight and fifth in the last six games – dropped the Wildcats to 8-14 overall and 5-13 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). With the win, Humboldt State hung on to a share of the conference lead by improving to 20-3 on the season and 16-2 in CCAA play.
 
Annie Ward connected for four 3-pointers and led the Wildcat offense with 16 points on the night. Brooke Bowen added 15 points to the 'Cats' attack, while Michelle Walker and Whitney Branham each contributed nine points and four rebounds.
 
The game was a see-saw affair over the first 10 minutes of the opening half. A Ward jumper and a pair of Bowen layups gave Chico State an early lead, and 3-pointers by Bowen, Ward and Branham kept the Wildcats on top 18-16. Humboldt State's explosive offense eventually kicked into gear, ripping off a 17-2 run to grab a 33-20 lead. The 'Cats used two Walker free throws, a Bowen layup and a four-point play by Hannah Womack to pull to within 36-28, only to see the Lumberjacks outscore Chico State 10-2 over the final 3:40 of the period to post a 46-30 halftime advantage.
 
The Wildcats drew first blood in the second half with a Walker layup, but Humboldt State scored 13 of the next 15 points to balloon its lead to 59-34. Chico State refused to fold, answering with a 29-15 run – highlighted by three Ward 3-pointers and treys from Walker and Chanelle Di Croce – to creep within 74-63 with 6:36 to play. But time and a Lumberjack offense that shot well over 50 percent on the night combined to squash the 'Cats' comeback attempt – Humboldt State outscored Chico State 11-2 down the stretch to cruise to the 85-65 victory and a sweep of the season series.
 
The Wildcats are back on the road next weekend, heading to the Bay Area to take on Sonoma State Friday and San Francisco State on Saturday. Tipoff for both games are scheduled for 5:30 p.m.