SAN RAFAEL—In a game that featured nearly as many turnovers as points, the Chico State women's basketball team shook off a sluggish three quarters of offense by exploding for 19 in the final period, erasing a three-point deficit and beating Notre Dame de Namur in come-from-behind fashion, downing the Argonauts 42-34 in the Wildcats' final game of the two-day CCAA/PacWest Challenge at the Conlan Center in San Rafael.
The win raised the Wildcats' record to 2-0 on the young season, while Notre Dame de Namur suffered its second loss in as many days.
The game was a defensive battle from tipoff to final horn, as the two teams combined for 48 turnovers on the afternoon. Both Chico State and Notre Dame de Namur shot just over 30 percent from the field, with the Wildcats and Argonauts combining to hit just 26 field goals in the entire contest.
Madison Wong was the hero of the 'Cats' comeback. The junior point guard connected for three of Chico State's six 3-pointers on the day and scored 11 of her game-high 14 points in the final period. Natalie Valenzuela and Mikaila Wegenke each contributed five points to the 'Cats' attack, with McKena Barker pulling down a dozen rebounds.
Chico State's offense was clicking early in the first quarter, as the Wildcats raced out to an 8-0 lead—Shay Stark opened the scoring with a jumper, and Wong and Valenzuela followed with 3-point buckets. The 'Cats were held to just one field goal in the final 5:50 of the period, and Notre Dame de Namur was able to whittle the deficit to 10-6 by the end of the quarter.
Hannah Washington's layup early in the second period extended Chico State's advantage to six, but the Argonauts held the Wildcats scoreless for the next five-and-a-half minutes. Notre Dame de Namur jumped into the lead with eight straight points before a Valenzuela bucket tied the contest at 14-all. A 3-pointer by Vanessa Holland and a bucket by Haley Ison put the 'Cats back out in front, giving Chico State a 19-18 lead at halftime.
Notre Dame de Namur's 1-3-1 zone held the Wildcats to just two field goals in the third quarter—a jumper by Stark and a layup by Wegenke. And while the Argonauts weren't exactly burning up the twine, Notre Dame scored six of the period's final eight points to take a 26-23 lead into the final period.
The Wildcats' offense finally came alive in crunch time, with Wong leading the way. Her second 3-pointer of the game put Chico State on top 29-28, and following a Notre Dame de Namur basket that once again gave the Argonauts the lead, Wong hit a layup to put the 'Cats ahead to stay. Combined with a Barker free throw and back-to-back treys by Wong and Brynn Thoming, the Wildcats ripped off a 9-0 run to go up 38-30 with 3:49 to play.
Notre Dame de Namur battled back, cutting Chico State's lead in half, but as the clock wound down, a Holland free throw and three charity tosses by Wong kept the Argonauts at bay, giving the Wildcats the 42-34 victory.
Chico State has little time to savor the win. The Wildcats return to action Tuesday, traveling to Oakland for a non-conference contest against Holy Names. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
