ARCATA – The Chico State women's basketball team played what Head Coach Brian Fogel considered its best game of the season Thursday, as the Wildcats gave host Humboldt State all it could handle at Lumberjack Arena. But the 'Jacks, thanks to 11 3-pointers and dominance on the boards, came away the winner, outscoring the 'Cats 21-13 in the fourth quarter to register a 77-71 victory.
Thursday's loss dropped Chico State to 5-7 overall and 1-6 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Humboldt State evened its season record at 7-7 and improved to 4-3 in CCAA play.
Whitney Branham was the Wildcats' top scorer with 16 points, with Brooke Bowen contributing 14 points and six rebounds. McKena Barker posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds to go along with four assists, and Sherise Porchia drained a pair of 3-pointers to finish with nine points and four assists.
Chico State shot a solid 45.6 percent from the field, but Humboldt outrebounded the Wildcats 43-27, leading to several second-chance scoring opportunities that proved extremely costly to the 'Cats.
Branham and Bowen both hit 3-pointers early for the Wildcats, but Humboldt opened the period with a 9-6 lead. Chico State answered by scoring 12 of the next 16 points – highlighted by a Branham three-point play and layups by Porchia, Barker and Natalie Valenzuela – to put the Wildcats in front 18-13 at the end of the first quarter.
The Lumberjacks closed to within 20-18 in the opening minutes of the second period, but the Wildcats used a pair of Bowen jumpers and two Branham layups to fuel a 11-4 run to extend their advantage to 31-22. Humboldt State connected for three 3-pointers to creep closer, but at halftime Chico State still owned a 38-33 lead.
Two Branham free throws and a Porchia 3-pointer put the 'Cats up 43-33 early in the third quarter. Chico State was still leading by 10 when Humboldt started heating up from beyond the arc, knocking down four treys to pull even at 54-all. The Wildcats, thanks to buckets by Valenzuela and Porchia, went back on top, and held a 58-56 lead going into the fourth quarter.
Chico State stretched its lead to six to open the period, but a 14-5 Lumberjacks run put Humboldt in front 70-67 with 3:18 to play. Two Barker free throws made it a one-point game, but the Lumberjacks never relinquished the lead, scoring seven straight points down the stretch to roll to the 77-71 victory.
The Wildcats take Friday off before concluding their road trip Saturday in Southern California against the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
