On paper, it looked to be a mismatch. The Chico State women's basketball team went into Friday night's home tilt with Cal State Los Angeles without the services of its second and third leading scorers, had just eight players in uniform and facing a Golden Eagles squad that was situated in second place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings. But thanks to a career-high 14 points from Kayla Taylor and hard-nosed play by everyone wearing the Chico State colors, the Wildcats just flat out found a way to win, handing Cal State LA a 66-62 loss at Acker Gym.  
 
Friday's victory moved Chico State to 9-5 on the season and into a tie for eighth place in the CCAA with a 4-4 conference record. Cal State LA dropped to 9-8 overall and 6-3 in CCAA play.
 
Joining Taylor in double figures Friday was Whitney Branham, who contributed 12 points to the Wildcat attack, while Madison Wong hit a pair of 3-point buckets on the night to finish with eight points. McKena Barker chipped in with eight points, six assists and five rebounds, with Tyler Prange grabbing a team-high eight rebounds.
 
Chico State led through most of the first quarter, using a Wong 3-pointer and a Taylor layup to fuel a 9-0 run and put the Wildcats in front 19-13. Cal State LA scored the last four points of the period and the 'Cats had to be content with a 19-17 lead heading into the second quarter.
 
The two teams played it even in the resulting 10-minute stanza, with the Golden Eagles briefly taking a 24-23 lead. Barker's first career trey put Chico State back in front, and her second-ever 3-pointer gave the Wildcats a 33-31 lead at intermission.
 
Cal State LA jumped back in front early in the third quarter, but the Wildcats answered with a 15-7 run—highlighted by Branham's lone 3-pointer of the contest and buckets by Prange and Michelle Townsend—to give Chico State a 48-41 lead. Samantha Lee brought the Golden Eagles back with a pair of 3-point baskets in the final 2:40 of the period, whittling the 'Cats advantage to 52-50 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Chico State's defense came up big in clutch time, holding Cal State LA to just 31 percent shooting in the final period. That allowed the Wildcats to build a 64-54 lead on the strength of a Townsend 3-pointer and baskets by Taylor, Sherise Porchia and Sammy DeHart. The Golden Eagles would not go away, however, as their defense held the 'Cats scoreless for the next four minutes.
 
Cal State LA crept to with 64-62 with 28 seconds to play and had a chance to tie or take the lead following a 'Cats turnover. But once again, Chico State came up with a big defensive stop, as Prange grabbed the rebound on Da'Jah Jackson's unsuccessful layup attempt, was fouled and sank two big free throws to put the bow on the Wildcats' gutsy 66-62 victory.   
 
The Wildcats return to action Saturday, hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills (4-10, 1-6 CCAA) at Acker Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.