LOS ANGELES—The road woes continued Saturday at The Eagles' Nest for the Chico State women's basketball team, as host Cal State LA jumped out to an early advantage and never let go of the lead, handing the Wildcats their eight loss in 10 road games this season. The 'Cats battled the entire night and threatened to make a huge comeback early in the fourth quarter, but the Golden Eagles were able to keep Chico State at bay, using a 9-0 run down the stretch to cement a 78-61 victory.  
 
The Wildcats dropped their third straight decision to fall to 10-9 overall and 8-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), slipping to sixth place in the conference standings. With Saturday's win, Cal State LA (10-12 on the season) leapfrogged over Chico State into a tie for fourth place, improving to 9-7 in CCAA play.
 
Whitney Branham led the Wildcats offensively, hitting three 3-pointers to finish with 17 points. Her first trey was the 181st of Branham's Chico State career, moving her past Kim Abts into second place on the 'Cats' career 3-point list.
 
McKena Barker knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and scored 13 points to go along with a team-high six rebounds. Kayla Taylor added 11 points, while Madison Wong contributed five points and seven assists.
 
Cal State LA led for nearly the entire first quarter, thanks to Chico State getting into early foul trouble. The Golden Eagles snapped a 5-5 tie with a 14-5 run to go up 19-10, and though Branham drained a jumper and a 3-pointer late in the period to keep the Wildcats close, the Golden Eagles went into the second period with a 21-13 lead.
 
It took about midway through the second quarter for the 'Cats' offense to get untracked, but a Wong 3-pointer, a Vanessa Holland layup, a jumper by Barker and a 3-pointer by Branham pulled Chico State to within 31-26. Cal State LA outscored the Wildcats 9-4 in the final four minutes of the half and took a 40-30 lead into intermission.
 
The 'Cats were unable to make up any ground in the third quarter. The Golden Eagles extended their advantage to 15 points early in the period, but a 10-4 Wildcats run—highlighted by two baskets apiece by Branham and Taylor—made the score 51-42. Aqeelah Williams hit a jumper, and Hannah Washington and Jo Paine each added a free throw, but at the end of the quarter Cal State LA owned a 57-46 lead.
 
Chico State made a couple of charges in the final 10-stanza. Barker hit two free throws and drained a 3-pointer, and Taylor swished a jumper to bring the Wildcats to within six at 59-53. Cal State LA pushed its lead back to double digits, but a Wong layup and a Taylor trey shaved the deficit to eight at 66-58. The 'Cats couldn't capitalize, though, and outside of a Branham 3-pointer, Chico State went scoreless for the final four minutes of the contest. The Golden Eagles sealed the deal with a layup and seven free throws to roll to the 78-61 victory. 
 
Chico State hosts a pair of CCAA matchups next week at Acker Gym. Thursday the Wildcats take on Cal State Monterey Bay, followed by a Saturday showdown with Cal State East Bay. Both games will tip off at 5:30 p.m.