ROHNERT PARK—The Chico State women's basketball team is coming home. The Wildcats will get to stay there, and that's good news.
The Wildcats beat Sonoma State 75-68 in the regular-season finale Saturday night as Whitney Branham led four double-digit scorers with 18 points while the senior finished with five rebounds, seven assists and a career-high eight steals (just one off the program record).
As good as that was, it was UC San Diego beating Cal State LA 75-71 that allowed the Wildcats to secure fourth place and host a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament quarterfinal.
That means Chico State will await the Cal State LA Golden Eagles for a 5:30 p.m. contest Tuesday at Acker Gym in a matchup that precedes the men's quarterfinal that tips off at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday's victory was the women's third straight and sixth in seven games as they improved to 14-8 in the CCAA and 16-10 overall. Sonoma State dropped to 9-13 in the CCAA and 12-14 overall.
Chico State received 16 points from Kayla Taylor, 13 points from Madison Wong and 12 from McKena Barker.
Barker started the Wildcats' scoring with a jumper off a Branham assist, as the Wildcats wouldn't trail at any point.
The Wildcats used an 8-0 run midway through the first quarter for a 20-11 lead. Shay Stark's three-point play with 3:26 left highlighted the stretch.
Stark ended up with eight points, three assists, and two steals, leading the Chico State bench.
The Wildcats' varied options outdid the individual effort of Ugochi Anudokem. The Sonoma State standout had a game-high 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting to go with 13 rebounds. Kim Savio, with 12 points, was the Seawolves' other double-digit scorer.
A 3-pointer from Branham had Chico State ahead 25-17 with 1:15 left in the opening period. That gave the senior 200 career 3s, the first Wildcat in program history to hit that mark. She finished with three 3s for 202 total.
Chico State traded baskets with Sonoma State in the second quarter with the Seawolves getting to within 34-30 with 3:29 remaining in the first half.
Another 8-0 run as part of a late finish allowed the Wildcats to take a 43-33 lead into the break. A Taylor layup began the run on a Stark assist before Stark and Wong made 3s.
While Sonoma State never led, the Seawolves climbed within 53-47 on another Anudokem layup with 3:05 remaining in the third quarter.
Chico State continued to push the pace, though, and again found an 8-0 flourish at the quarter's end. Barker converted a three-point play on Branham's sixth assist of the night. Branham then buried a 3 before two Taylor free throws with 1:21 left in the period had Chico State ahead 61-47.
Sonoma State enjoyed its own 8-0 outburst early in the fourth quarter to get within 66-59 with 6:07 left. The Wildcats' defense stiffened and held the hosts scoreless for the next 2:30 and allowed a mere six points over 5:30 until 27 seconds remained.
After Anudokem's three-point play cut Chico State's advantage to 72-68 with 27 seconds on the clock, the Seawolves had to foul. Branham made three free throws in two trips to the line, finishing off the victory.
Barker's six rebounds led Chico State. Taylor's 16 points came on 6-of-8 shooting and included a 4-of-4 showing at the line. The Wildcats made 23 of 30 free throws while Sonoma State was 9 of 11.
Chico State needed Cal State LA to lose Saturday because a win against the conference-leading Tritons would have given the Golden Eagles the tiebreaker over the Wildcats. The tiebreaker after head-to-head is win-loss record against the conference leader and continues down the standings in order until the tie is broken. So in a rare situation, Chico State could have lost and ended up fourth or won and ended up fifth.
But it ended up the way the Wildcats wanted. They are 11-2 at Acker Gym this season, including a 64-55 victory against Cal State LA on Dec. 29. The Golden Eagles won the second meeting on their home floor, 78-61.
CCAA Tournament first-round tickets are available for purchase at the University Box Office or by calling (530) 898-6333 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Monday and starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Chico State student tickets for the postseason are $3 with a valid ID, but the Athletic Department will foot the bill for the first 200 students with a valid Chico State ID. More details will be announced Monday about when those student tickets will be released.
Chico State basketball ticket prices are: $10 for Section A-G (seatback seating); $8 for general admission; $3 for Chico State students with a valid ID (after the first 200 with valid ID get in free); $5 for seniors 60 and older and visiting students with ID; $3 for children 3-17 years old; and children 2 and younger get in free.
The quarterfinals will be broadcast 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 homepage and the schedule page for women's basketball.
