SAN FRANCISCO—The Chico State women's basketball team delivered its best shooting day of the season Saturday, and combined with a solid defensive and rebounding effort, notched its first conference win of the season in convincing fashion. The Wildcats outscored San Francisco State 31-16 over the final 19 minutes to roll to a 63-48 victory over the Gators at The Swamp in San Francisco.
 
With Saturday's victory, Chico State improved to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). San Francisco State dropped its second straight decision to slip to 2-6 on the season and 1-2 in CCAA play.
 
McKena Barker turned in her best game of the young season, posting her 13th career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while her four blocked shots were a personal single-game best. Madison Wong hit three of the Wildcats' eight 3-pointers on the day to finish with 11 points, and Vanessa Holland contributed 11 points, five rebounds and five assists. Brynn Thoming knocked down a pair of treys and scored eight points, while Natalie Valenzuela and Mikaila Wegenke chipped in with seven points apiece.
 
The Wildcats shot 43.8 percent from the field Saturday, and outrebounded the Gators 38-30.
 
Chico State was a little slow out of the blocks in the first quarter, but after spotting San Francisco State the first bucket of the game, used a Madison Wong 3-pointer and baskets by Barker, Holland, and Shay Stark to fuel a 9-2 run to take the early lead. The Wildcats' defense then took over, holding the Gators to just one field goal for the final seven minutes of the period. A 3-pointer by Thoming, a Holland layup and a pair of free throws by Valenzuela gave the 'Cats a 16-10 advantage heading into the second quarter.
 
Wong drained a trey to put Chico State up by nine to start the second period, but the offense suddenly went cold. The Wildcats were held without a field goal for over six minutes, allowing San Francisco State creep to within 23-21. Wong and Thoming saved the day—and the lead—with 3-pointers in the last 1:11 of the quarter, putting the 'Cats up 30-21 at halftime.
 
San Francisco State came roaring back in the third quarter, using three 3-pointers to fuel an 11-2 run to tie the game at 32-all. Barker immediately helped Chico State right the ship, connecting on a 3-pointer, a jumper, two free throws, and dishing out an assist on a 9-0 Wildcats' run to go back in front 41-32. The 'Cats finished the period strong, with Wegenke dropping in a pair of buckets and Holland connecting for a 3-pointer and a jumper to give Chico State a 50-40 lead entering the final 10-minute stanza.
 
The 'Cats put the pedal to the metal in the fourth quarter, as a Holland layup and a 3-pointer by Stark extended Chico State's advantage to 55-40. A Valenzuela layup and free throws by Valenzuela, Barker and Wong ballooned the Wildcats' lead to 18 with four minutes to go, effectively denying San Francisco State the time to mount any type of comeback. Two Barker free throws down the stretch sealed the deal, and the 'Cats cruised to the 63-48 victory.  
 
Chico State returns to action Monday at Acker Gym, hosting Academy of Art (1-4, 0-2 Pacific West Conference) at 6 p.m. The contest is a makeup of the Wildcats' November 17 game with the Urban Knights, and in keeping with the original contest, Chico State will offer free admission to the rescheduled event while encouraging fans to make a donation to the Wildcats Rise Fire Recovery Fund.
 
 
Support Students, Faculty, and Staff Impacted by the Camp Fire
The Wildcat Athletics Family is committed to doing all we can to help spread awareness and help for those directly impacted by the Camp Fire, which struck Butte County on Thursday, November 8. We are reaching out to you asking for help raising money for the Wildcats Rise Fire Recovery Fund, established by the University. 

Donations to this fund will support students, faculty, and staff in need of aid for clothing and household goods, electronics such as phones and laptops, transportation, childcare assistance, temporary housing, school supplies, or meal assistance. 

This terrible disaster will not stop the resolve of our Chico State community. Together, our Wildcats Family will rise.
 
A table will be set up at Saturday's 7 p.m. women's basketball game to make it easy to give. People can also give by simply clicking HERE or by texting WildcatsRise74 to 71777.
 

For complete information on the University's response, please visit HERE.