POCATELLO, Idaho—The Chico State women's basketball team faced another big challenge Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats took on their third straight Division I opponent in exhibition play. The 'Cats, facing a talented Idaho State squad, played pretty much head-to-head with the host Bengals through the first period and showed some spark in the final quarter, but ultimately fell 85-49 at Reed Gym in Pocatello, Idaho.
Madison Wong was the lone Wildcat to score in double figures Saturday, finishing the afternoon with 10 points. McKena Barker and Katie Mackenzie each tallied six points for the 'Cats, with Brynn Thoming and Hannah Washington contributing five points apiece.
Idaho State built a 13-8 lead midway through the opening quarter, but Chico State used free throws by Barker and Shay Stark, plus buckets by Rachel Fielder and Mikaila Wegenke to fuel a 7-0 run to go up 15-13. Idaho State scored the final points of the quarter to take a 17-15 lead into the second period.
The Bengals promptly took command of the contest, outscoring the 'Cats 17-4 in the second quarter to extend their advantage to 34-19. Chico State regrouped and finished the period on a high note—layups by Thoming and Natalie Valenzuela, and a Wong three-point play brought the Wildcats to within 37-26 at halftime.
Idaho State dominated the third quarter, posting the first 16 points of the period and outscoring Chico State 28-7. The lone Wildcat scores in the period were layups by Wegenke and Washington and free throws by Wegenke and Mackenzie, as the Bengals ballooned their lead to 65-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
Chico State was more competitive in the final 10-minute stanza. Wong, Thoming, and Washington all connected for 3-pointers, while Mackenzie score four points in the period as the 'Cats finished strong for the third straight exhibition game. Stark completed the Wildcats' scoring with a pair of free throws, and Idaho State ran out the clock for the 85-49 win.
The Wildcats officially get the 2018–19 season underway next weekend, traveling to San Rafael to play two games in the CCAA/PacWest Challenge. Friday Chico State faces Dominican University at 4 p.m., followed by a Saturday showdown with Notre Dame de Namur, tipping off at 12 noon.
