The Chico State women's basketball team had lots of items on its agenda when it took the floor Friday against San Francisco State. The Wildcats were anxious to snuff out a three-game losing streak, continue their winning ways in the friendly confines of Acker Gym and exact a little revenge for a loss handed to them by the Gators earlier in the season. The 'Cats succeeded on all counts, utilizing a tenacious defense, dominant rebounding and a career-high 20 points from Whitney Branham to romp to a lopsided 69-39 victory.
 
The victory moved Chico State to 6-8 overall and 2-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). The Wildcats also improved their home record to 4-1 on the season.
 
San Francisco State lost for the eighth time in its last nine games to fall to 4-10 overall and 2-6 in CCAA play.
 
Branham nailed four 3-pointers on the way to her highest scoring night as a Wildcat. Brooke Bowen finished with 14 points, while Kayla Taylor chipped in with 10 points and a career-high eight rebounds. McKena Barker hauled down 10 rebounds and Natalie Valenzuela nine as the 'Cats posted a huge 58-33 advantage on the boards, forced 18 turnovers and held San Francisco State to just 28.6 percent shooting. Sherise Porchia led the Wildcats with six assists on the night.
 
The Gators took an early 4-2 lead in the opening period, but two free throws by Valenzuela and a layup by Bowen put Chico State ahead for good. With the score 8-6, the Wildcats closed out the quarter on a 9-2 run, with Branham, Bowen and Taylor all contributing buckets to give the 'Cats a 17-8 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
Chico State held San Francisco State to just one field goal in the second period, and rode a pair of Branham 3-pointers and a Michelle Townsend trey to a big 34-11 lead. Valenzuela ended an extremely productive quarter with a layup to give the Wildcats a big 36-12 halftime lead.
 
It was more of the same in the third quarter. While the Gators offense continued to sputter, the Wildcats continued to execute, with a 3-pointer by Branham and baskets by Bowen, Porchia, Valenzuela and Taylor widening Chico State's advantage to 53-20. San Francisco State outscored the 'Cats 10-5 over the final 4:20 of the period, but the Wildcats were still comfortably in front 58-30 entering the fourth quarter.
 
San Francisco State scored the first seven points in the final period, but 3-pointers by Branham, Bowen and Irie Stokes fueled an 11-2 Wildcat run to push the lead back to 30, and Chico State would go on to register the 69-39 victory and even the season series with the Gators.
 
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday, hosting the Sonoma State Seawolves (6-11, 1-7 CCAA) at Acker Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.