BELMONT—Though it faced a talented team in Dominican Sunday afternoon, the Chico State women's basketball team turned out to be its own worst enemy during second day action at the CCAA/PacWest Challenge. The Wildcats found themselves in constant foul trouble, committed 20 turnovers, and shot just 34.8 percent from the field as the Penguins rolled to an 87-69 victory at Walter Gleason Gymnasium in Belmont.
Sunday's loss evened Chico State's record at 1-1 on the young season. Dominican posted its first win of the 2019–20 campaign to improve to 1-1.
Maddy Wong scored 11 of her team-high 17 points in the fourth quarter, nailing five 3-pointers on the afternoon. Vanessa Holland hit four treys and finished with 12 points, while Mikaila Wegenke contributed nine points and five rebounds. Hannah Washington led the Wildcats with seven rebounds, with Shay Stark scoring seven points and doling out six assists.
Chico State used 3-pointers by Wong and Stark to jump out to a 6-2 lead early in the first quarter. Dominican came back to tie the score, but a 3-pointer by Holland helped the Wildcats regain the lead at 13-10. The Penguins responded with a 10-2 run to go up by five, only to see Jasmine Hess put in a layup and Holland connect for a 3-pointer in the final 30 seconds of the period to knot up the contest at 20-all heading into the second quarter.
The 'Cats fell behind 28-24 before a layup by Washington and a 3-pointer by Wong gave Chico State a 29-28 lead. The Wildcats' offense sputtered for the rest of the quarter, however, with only one field goal in the final five minutes of the period. Dominican took full advantage, outscoring the 'Cats 14-3 during that stretch to take a 42-32 lead into halftime.
Chico State's offensive woes continued in the third quarter, as over five minutes elasped before Holland delivered the Wildcats' first field goal of the period. By that time, Dominican had forged a 20-point lead, eventually extending its advantage to 60-37. The 'Cats showed some signs of life in the final minutes of the period, with Holland and Wegenke knocking down 3-pointers, but when the quarter ended, Chico State found itself down 65-46.
The Wildcats outscored Dominican 23-22 in the fourth period, with Wong burying a trio of 3-pointers, and Myli Martinez and Haley Ison each connecting from downtown. It was far too little and far too late, though, as the Penguins were able to run out the clock and cruise to the 87-69 win.
The Wildcats return to Chico Tuesday for their first home game of the 2019–20 season. The 'Cats take on Holy Names in non-conference action beginning at 7 p.m. in Acker Gym.
