A Saturday evening that began with heartfelt emotion ended up in one of frustration for the Chico State women's basketball team, as just hours after honoring Brooke Bowen on Senior Night, the Wildcats fell to visiting Humboldt State 73-67 at Acker Gym, cutting the 'Cats' hopes of reaching postseason play even slimmer.
 
Chico State's fourth straight loss dropped the Wildcats to 10-14 overall and 5-13 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 5-13 conference record. The 'Cats are now faced with needing to beat both Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A. in next week's final two regular season games plus get some help to secure a berth in next month's CCAA Championship Tournament.
 
Humboldt State officially punched its ticket to the conference tourney with Saturday's win, improving to 13-13 on the season and 10-9 in CCAA play.
 
Whitney Branham led all scorers with 20 points, knocking down three of Chico State's six 3-pointers on the night. Natalie Valenzuela added 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds for the Wildcats, with McKena Barker contributing eight points and five boards.
 
Fueled by a Branham 3-pointer and baskets by Bowen, Barker and Valenzuela, Chico State jumped out to an 18-9 lead midway through the first quarter. They would not score again before the end of the period, as Humboldt State reeled off 12 unanswered points to go up 21-18 heading into the second quarter.
 
The Wildcats went back in front thanks to a 12-4 run to start the second period – Branham and Michelle Townsend drained 3-pointers, and Valenzuela, Sherise Porchia and Sammy DeHart each contributed a bucket – to give Chico State a 30-25 lead. Humboldt State responded with a 17-2 run that put the Lumberjacks in front 42-32 at halftime.
 
The 'Cats whittled the deficit down to four with six minutes left in the third quarter, but the Lumberjacks scored the next nine points to go up 53-40. Humboldt was able to extend its advantage to 15 later in the period, settling for a 61-48 lead heading into the final 10-minute stanza.
 
Chico State made it interesting in the fourth quarter. With seven minutes to go, Humboldt was still up big at 66-52, but the Wildcats came clawing back – a 3-pointer by Townsend and baskets by Branham, DeHart, Valenzuela and Irie Stokes highlighted a 15-4 Chico State run to pull the 'Cats to within 70-67 with a minute to play. That would be as close as the Wildcats would come, though, as the Lumberjacks converted three free throws down the stretch to cement the 73-67 win.
 
The 'Cats play their final home game of the regular season Thursday night when they welcome Cal State Dominguez Hills (18-8, 16-2 CCAA) to Acker Gym. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.