SAN FRANCISCO—The Chico State women's basketball team got the win it needed. Whitney Branham made the 3-pointers she needed to become the program leader.
Together, that made for a memorable Friday night as the Wildcats won 63-49 over San Francisco State at The Swamp as Branham's game-high 20 points included four 3s, leaving her No. 1 in program history.
The victory improves to Chico State to 15-10 overall including 13-8 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, tying Cal State LA (13-8 CCAA, 14-8) and Humboldt State (13-8 CCAA, 14-12) for third place in the conference after those teams dropped their first games this week.
If the Wildcats end up in third or fourth place, they would host a CCAA Tournament quarterfinal on Tuesday. Whether they do or not, depends on the results of the regular-season finales on Saturday. If Cal State LA loses at UC San Diego, the Wildcats will host a tournament game at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Acker Gym ahead of the men's team, which already is guaranteed of hosting that night. The Chico State women could also host if Humboldt State loses at San Francisco State (3-18, 5-19), and the Wildcats win at Sonoma State (9-12, 12-13).
While there is plenty to be decided in how the conference standings shake out, Branham's placement among Chico State's outside shooters has been settled. Her latest performance leaves her with 199 in her career, surpassing the 196 Audi Spencer (2004-08) made. One more make from beyond the arc, and Branham will become the first player in program history to have 200. Her 1,421 career points have her fifth on the Wildcats' all-time list.
Branham's 20 points came on 7-of-13 shooting that included 4 of 7 on 3s. She also had four steals.
Fellow senior Kayla Taylor added 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting to go with six rebounds. Madison Wong added nine points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. McKena Barker had eight points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Chico State started fast with a 10-0 run after the Gators scored the game's first basket. The Wildcats' first points came on a Branham 3, tying Spencer's total. A layup from Branham came next before Barker had one of her own and a Vanessa Holland 3 capped the run.
The Gators, with just five players in uniform, tied the game at 12 with an 8-0 run to finish the first quarter.
But Chico State went ahead in the second quarter with a 5-0 spurt that started with a Hannah Washington jumper.
From there, the Wildcats maintained the advantage and had a 28-21 lead at halftime after closing with two Washington free throws and then a steal and layup by Branham with 2 seconds left in the quarter.
The Gators would take a 32-30 lead after starting the third quarter with an 11-2 stretch.
Chico State answered with its own 11-2 spurt, regaining a seven-point lead at 41-34 as Holland, Wong and Branham had a 3 apiece in the run. The Wildcats were 2 of 14 on 3s in the first half but made 5 of 7 in the second half.
Another 6-0 spurt as Taylor turned in back-to-back baskets and a Branham layup had Chico State ahead 47-37 with 1:51 left in the third quarter.
The Wildcats would maintain at least a six-point margin the rest of the way and got that back up to double digits quickly at 54-43 on a Branham 3 and a Wong layup with 7:10 remaining in the game.
Chico State closes the regular season with a 5:30 p.m. game Saturday at Sonoma State. Mike Wessels will provide the play-by-play locally on Newstalk 1290-AM KPAY with the broadcast simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats, audio and video will also be available through the Wildcat Athletics website.
