Following a lengthy holiday break, the Chico State women's basketball team returned to Acker Gym Friday and essentially picked up where they left off 10 days ago. Powered by a season-high 11 3-point baskets, the Wildcats improved to a perfect 5-0 at home this season while moving up the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings with a solid 64-55 win over the Golden Eagles of Cal State LA.
 
Chico State never trailed in winning its second straight to up its season record to 6-5, while grabbing a share of fifth place in the CCAA with a 4-3 conference record. Cal State LA dropped to 5-9 overall and 4-4 in CCAA play.
 

Whitney Branham led the Wildcats' offensive attack, draining four 3-pointers to finish with 16 points, while Vanessa Holland hit a trio of treys on the way to a 10-point night. Jo Paine and Madison Wong each scored nine points, with Wong also dishing out five assists. McKena Barker contributed eight points and a team-high six rebounds for the victorious 'Cats.
 
Branham set the tone by connecting on a 3-pointer a minute into the contest. Though both teams had to battle through some cold shooting early in the opening period, Chico State managed to build a seven-point lead on three different occasions, as Wong's 3-pointer with five seconds left in the quarter gave the Wildcats a 21-14 lead.
 
Cal State LA hung around in the second period, twice pulling to within five points. With the score 24-19, 3-pointers by Wong, Branham and Aqeelah Williams sparked a 14-2 Wildcats run that extended Chico State's advantage to 38-21. The Golden Eagles scored the final three points of the period and the 'Cats went into halftime up 38-24.
 
Chico State maintained their 17-point lead until midway through the third quarter, with a Holland 3-pointer putting the Wildcats up 45-28. Cal State LA refused to go away, however, chipping away at the deficit and holding the 'Cats scoreless over the final five minutes of the period to pull to within 45-35 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Barker's jumper with 6:24 to play pushed Chico State's lead back to double digits, but the Golden Eagles would make it a 49-43 contest midway through the period. That would be as close as Cal State LA would get, though, as Branham immediately answered with a 3-ball, and combined with layups by Wong and Kayla Taylor, the Wildcats ballooned their lead to 58-46 with under two minutes remaining.
 
Cal State LA, trying desperately to climb back into the contest, was forced to foul. Holland, Wong, Branham and Barker all hit free throws down the stretch to cement the Wildcats' 64-55 victory.
 
The Wildcats are back in action Sunday, hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills (7-6, 5-3 CCAA) in a special New Year's Eve matinee, with tipoff scheduled for 12 noon. It is also Wildcat Pantry Day—fans are encouraged to bring a donation of nutritious non-perishable food items, cash or small hygiene items to Acker Gym to benefit the Chico State Basic Needs Project, which administers the Wildcat Food Pantry to assist students challenged with low to very low food security.