The Chico State women's basketball team, playing arguably its best ball of the season, was confident it could give California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) leader UC San Diego all it could handle Thursday night. And for nearly three quarters, the Wildcats did just that, holding the conference's top scoring team to just 40 points in the first 28 minutes of play. But the undefeated Tritons were able to rev up their offense late in the contest, outscoring the 'Cats 28-14 the rest of the way to register a 68-52 win at Acker Gym.   
 
Thursday's setback snapped Chico State's four-game winning streak and dropped the Wildcats to 11-5 on the season. The 'Cats, which began the night in a tie for third place in the CCAA, dipped to 8-5 in conference play, and as a result of the loss fell to fourth place in the CCAA standings. UC San Diego, ranked No. 4 in the country, moved to 16-0 overall and 12-0 in conference play.
 
Natalie Valenzuela led three Wildcat scorers in double figures, collecting 15 points on the night. McKena Barker registered her fifth double-double of the season and 17th of her Chico State career, contributing 11 points and a game-high 17 rebounds. Vanessa Holland knocked down two of Chico State's six 3-pointers on the evening to finish with 10 points.
 
Things started well for the Wildcats, as Barker opened the scoring with a 3-pointer less than a minute into the contest, followed by a Valenzuela layup to make the score 5-2. The 'Cats were only able to hit one more shot in the period, though, as UC San Diego outscored Chico State 15-2 for the remainder of the quarter, building a sizeable 17-7 advantage.
 
The Tritons increased their lead to 14 midway through the second period, but with the score 32-18, the Wildcats went on a 10-2 run to climb back into the contest. Valenzuela and Madison Wong each nailed 3-pointers, and with Barker and Shay Stark supplying a bucket apiece, Chico State cut the deficit to six by intermission at 34-28.
 
UC San Diego never relinquished the lead in the third quarter, but the 'Cats hung around. Trailing 40-32, Chico State held the Tritons scoreless for nearly four minutes, and thanks to a 3-point play by Stark plus free throws by Mikaila Wegenke and Myli Martinez, the Wildcats crept to within 40-38. But that would be as close as the 'Cats would get, as UC San Diego scored the final five points of the period and took a 45-38 lead into the fourth quarter.
 
Despite four points from Valenzuela and a Holland 3-pointer, the Tritons were able to keep the 'Cats from making a serious charge in the final 10-minute stanza. The Wildcats were only down nine when UC San Diego used a Kayla Sato 3-pointer and a Mikayla Williams layup to balloon its lead back to double digits with two minutes remaining. Running out of time, Chico State was forced to foul, and the Tritons sank four free throws down the stretch to ice the game away. A late jumper by Holland was too little and too late, as UC San Diego rolled to the 68-52 victory.
 
Chico State is back in action Saturday, and they face another big challenge. The Wildcats welcome Cal State San Marcos (10-6, 7-5 CCAA) to Acker Gym, with the tipoff scheduled for 5:30 p.m.