Two long scoring droughts nearly capsized the Chico State women's basketball team in the first three quarters of its Saturday showdown with Cal State San Marcos. Down by 10 points heading into the final 10-minute stanza, the Wildcats' offense came to life at just the right time, and combined with a smothering zone defense that kept the Cougars in check, Chico State used a 22-4 run to register a big come-from-behind 63-58 victory at Acker Gym.
 
The win—the Wildcats' fifth in the last six games—moves Chico State to 12-5 on the season and back into a tie with Humboldt State for the third place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 9-5 conference record. Cal State San Marcos dropped its third straight decision to slip to 10-6 overall and 7-6 in CCAA play.   
 
Shay Stark led four Chico State scorers in double figures, posting 17 points on the night while dishing out five assists. McKena Barker contributed 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Madison Wong, who doled out six assists, scored eight of her 12 points in the decisive fourth quarter. Natalie Valenzuela added 11 points, six boards and two blocks to the 'Cats' attack.
 
Cal State San Marcos led for most of the first quarter, but the two teams played straight up over the game's opening 10 minutes. Chico State fell behind early, but buckets by Barker, Stark and Valenzuela fueled a 10-3 run to put the Wildcats up 10-8. The lead see-sawed back and forth, and free throws by Stark and Mikaila Wegenke late in the period knotted things up at 18-18.
 
A Valenzuela 3-pointer helped the 'Cats build a 24-20 advantage midway through the second quarter, but suddenly the lid slid over the rim, as Chico State was held without a basket for the rest of the period. Cal State San Marcos took advantage by scoring nine unanswered points and carried a 29-24 lead into intermission.
 
The score was tied 35-35 when the Wildcats went into another offensive funk halfway through the third quarter. The Cougars mounted a 13-3 run—a Barker free throw and a Wegenke layup was all the offense the 'Cats could muster—and San Marcos headed into the fourth quarter with a seemingly comfortable 48-38 lead.
 
With Chico State switching to a zone defense, Vanessa Holland immediately got the Wildcats' offense back on track with a quick 3-pointer. Emma Forel answered for the Cougars with a layup to make it 50-41, but that would be the last field goal San Marcos converted until the waning seconds of the contest. The 'Cats steadily chipped away, and 3-pointers by Wong bookended a 13-0 Chico State run to put the Wildcats on top 54-50 with 3:28 to play.
 
The 'Cats were clinging to a two-point lead with just over a minute remaining, but thanks to clutch free throw shooting by Wong, Stark, and Barker, Chico State used six straight charity tosses to up its advantage to 60-52. Despite two desperation 3-pointers by San Marcos, the Wildcats were able to ice the contest at the foul line. With 16 seconds left, Stark connected on a pair of free throws and Holland hit one from the stripe to officially put it away, giving Chico State the 63-58 win and avenging the 'Cats' loss to the Cougars three weeks ago in Southern California.
 
Chico State is back in action next Saturday, and it should be another epic battle as the Wildcats welcome Humboldt State (11-6, 9-5 CCAA) to Acker Gym. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.