ROHNERT PARK—The Chico State women's basketball team registered its most important win of the young season Saturday afternoon, rebounding from an early double-digit deficit and fighting off a late fourth quarter rally by Sonoma State to edge the host Seawolves 66-62 at the Wolves' Den in Rohnert Park. The Wildcats notched their third straight victory while snapping Sonoma State's four-game winning streak.
With Saturday's win, the Wildcats move to 7-4 overall while evening their California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) record at 3-3. Sonoma State fell to 7-3 on the season and 3-2 in CCAA conference play.
Myli Martinez connected for five 3-pointers on the way to scoring a career-high 17 points to lead the Wildcats. Shay Stark delivered eight fourth quarter points to finish with 16 on the day, with Daisha Abdelkader contributing seven points and six assists. Maddy Wong, the team's leading scorer this season, had only three points but contributed to the 'Cats victory Saturday with six rebounds.
The Wildcats found themselves playing catch-up almost immediately, as Sonoma State streaked to a 12-2 lead early in the first quarter. On the strength of 3-pointers by Martinez, Brynn Thoming, and Vanessa Holland, Chico State was able to stay within hollering distance, and a layup by Stark pulled the 'Cats to within 25-19 at the end of the period.
As high scoring as the opening quarter was, the second period saw both teams ratcheting up their defense. The Wildcats were able to hold the Seawolves scoreless for over eight minutes, and grabbed a 30-25 lead on a Stark layup, two 3-pointers by Martinez, and a Haley Ison trey. Sonoma State scored the quarter's final two buckets, and the 'Cats went into halftime up 30-29.
Chico State doubled up the Seawolves in the third quarter, outscoring Sonoma State 20-10. With the game tied at 35-all, the Wildcats used a 15-4 run—highlighted by a Martinez 3-pointer and buckets by Stark, Wong, Abdelkader, and Mikaila Wegenke—to give the 'Cats a 50-39 lead heading into the final 10-minute stanza.
Sonoma State crept to within six early in the fourth quarter, but a three-point play by Stark and the fifth 3-pointer of the afternoon by Martinez put Chico State up 58-48 with 5:54 left to play. Just when it looked like the Wildcats had the contest in hand, Chico State fell into a four-minute scoring drought, and as a result, a 10-1 Seawolves run cut the 'Cats lead to 59-58. But in the final minute, Stark came up big, hitting a 3-pointer and a jumper to extend Chico State's lead to four with 13 seconds remaining. Sonoma State scored a bucket with time dwindling down, but Ison knocked down a pair of clutch free throws with eight seconds left to ice it, giving the 'Cats the big 66-62 victory.
The Wildcats return to Acker Gym next Saturday to play their final game before the holiday break when they host the Lumberjacks of Humboldt State (8-3, 4-2 CCAA). Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
