The Chico State women's basketball team appears to have hit its stride after a disastrous December and early January, and if three straight wins doesn't prove Head Coach Brian Foegel's squad is now accentuating the positive, the Wildcats closed out the month with an impressive win over a quality team, downing Stanislaus State 62-52 Saturday at Acker Gym.
 
The win helped Chico State even its season record at 9-9, but more importantly the Wildcats now move into sole possession of eighth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 4-8 conference mark. The top eight teams at the end of the regular season advance to the CCAA Championship Tournament, and with eight games remaining – five of which will be played at home – the Wildcats' 4-1 burst to end the month has placed the team in the driver's seat for a postseason bid.
 
Stanislaus State saw its seven game winning streak come to an end with Saturday's defeat, falling to 13-5 overall and 9-3 in CCAA play.

 

McKena Barker was one rebound short of recording her third straight double-double Saturday but still finished with a team-high 15 points and nine boards while adding three assists and two blocked shots. Natalie Valenzuela contributed 13 points, seven rebounds and a pair of blocks, with Whitney Branham chipping in with 11 points and five rebounds. Chico State shot 45.7 percent on the night and held Stanislaus State to just 31.6 percent from the field.
 
The Wildcats continue to thrive at Acker Gym, raising their home record to 6-2. Chico State has averaged 66.4 points on offense and allowed just 55.5 points in their eight home games this season. Conversely, in 10 road contests, the 'Cats have averaged only 61.4 points on offense while surrendering over 65 points a night on defense.
 
Chico State spotted Stanislaus the game's first bucket, then went on a 10-0 run to take quick command of the contest – Branham got things rolling with a 3-ball, followed by layups from Valenzuela, Barker and Sherise Porchia. The Warriors pulled to within 12-8, but the Wildcats reeled off seven unanswered points – Valenzuela highlighting the run with a 3-pointer – to end the period leading 19-8.
 
The Wildcats pushed their advantage to 14 midway through the second quarter, but then Stanislaus got hot, outscoring Chico State 12-2 in the final five minutes of the period. The 'Cats had to be content with a 29-25 halftime lead.
 
A 3-pointer by Ana Burch brought the Warriors to within 33-30 with 4:43 to go in the third quarter, but Chico State responded with back-to-back layups by Valenzuela and Sammy DeHart to push the lead back to seven. DeHart added a jumper and free throw later in the period, helping to give the Wildcats a 42-36 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Stanislaus continued to hang close, and were trailing 44-39 with 6:58 to play. Chico State obviously wasn't interested in any fourth quarter drama, and the Wildcats essentially put the game away with a 9-1 run – Branham knocked in another 3-pointer, Barker sank a pair of baskets and Brooke Bowen delivered a layup to put Chico State up 53-40. The Warriors could get no closer than nine points the rest of the way, and the Wildcats cruised to the 62-52 victory.
 
Chico State ushers in February next weekend at home, hosting Cal State East Bay Friday and Cal State Monterey Bay Saturday in key CCAA matchups at Acker Gym. Both games tip off at 5:30 p.m.