The Chico State women's basketball team was determined to enter 2017 on a positive roll, and the Wildcats accomplished that goal with gusto Saturday afternoon at Acker Gym. The 'Cats easily won their New Years Eve matinee with San Francisco State, topping the Gators 76-48 to extend the team's winning streak to three straight and improve to 8-4 on the season and 3-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
 
Whitney Branham led four Wildcat players in double figures, scoring 19 points while posting a team-high seven rebounds. Jo Paine added 16 points for the victorious 'Cats, while Michelle Townsend knocked down four 3-pointers—the most in a single game in her Wildcat career—to tally a dozen on the afternoon. Tyler Prange chipped in with 11 points as Chico State shot an impressive 53.3 percent from the field and a season-best 60 percent from 3-point range.
                                
San Francisco State shot just 34.9 percent on the day, losing its fifth straight to fall to 2-9 overall and 0-4 in CCAA play.
 
The Wildcats led from wire to wire, jumping out to 15-3 first quarter lead on the strength of a Branham 3-pointer and buckets by Prange and Natalie Valenzuela. Chico State kept the foot on the gas pedal by finishing the period by scoring 12 of the last 16 points—Branham draining a pair of treys during the run—to put the Wildcats up 27-10.
 
San Francisco State outscored the 'Cats 21-18 in the second 10-minute stanza, but was unable to whittle the deficit to single digits. Chico State built its lead to 19 points twice in the period, but an 8-3 Gators' run late in the period pulled San Francisco State to within 45-31 at halftime.
 
The Gators crept to within 46-35 early in the third quarter, only to see the Wildcats answer with a 28-5 run to put the game completely out of reach. Townsend connected for three 3-pointers, Prange hit a shot from downtown, Paine collected four field goals and McKena Barker added a layup, and with 5:10 left in the contest, Chico State owned a huge 74-40 advantage. Branham wrapped up the 'Cats' scoring with a late layup, and Chico State successfully ran out the clock to seal the deal on a 76-48 victory.
 
Chico State plays its first game of 2017 on the road, traveling to Southern California next Friday to take on Cal State San Bernardino (5-4, 2-3 CCAA) in an important CCAA matchup. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.