CHICO – The Chico State women's basketball team knew it would have its hands full trying to stop All-American Jada Blackwell, but several of her Cal Poly Pomona teammates stepped up to have productive nights Saturday, resulting in the Wildcats trying to play catch-up all evening. The Broncos successfully kept the 'Cats at arm's length most of the way, scoring a 72-57 victory at Acker Gym.
 
With Saturday's loss, Chico State dips to 8-12 overall and 5-11 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The win helped Cal Poly Pomona, now 15-5 on the season and 13-3 in CCAA play, remain in the thick of the conference title race.
 
Seniors Hannah Womack and Annie Ward led the Wildcat offense Saturday, scoring 15 and 10 points, respectively. Blackwell finished with a game-high 18 for Pomona, reaching 1,000 career points in the process. Ariel Marsh added 16, while Tyler Woods and Lauren Goecke each scored in double figures for the victorious Broncos.
 
Pomona jumped out to an 8-3 lead early in the contest, but a 9-2 run – capped off by a Womack 3-pointer – pushed Chico State in front 12-10. It would turn out to be the Wildcats' lone lead of the game, as the Broncos responded with a 12-2 run to build a 31-19 advantage. The 'Cats scored four straight points to pull to within eight, but Pomona ended the half with a 9-0 run to go into intermission with a 40-23 lead.
 
Chico State threatened to make it a contest early in the second half, using 3-pointers by Whitney Branham and Michelle Walker to whittle the deficit down to eight at 46-38. That would be as close as the Wildcats would get, as Pomona quickly went on a 10-2 run and maintained a double-digit advantage for the remainder of the contest, pushing the lead as high as 18. Haley Cremen converted a three-point play for the Wildcats in the finals seconds, but it wasn't nearly enough to keep the 'Cats from falling 72-57 and give the Broncos a sweep of the season series.  
 
Chico State plays four straight road games beginning next week. Thursday the Wildcats will be in Southern California to take on Cal State San Bernardino, followed by a Saturday showdown with CCAA leader Humboldt State in Arcata. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.