LA JOLLA—It's been quite a while since RIMAC Arena has been hospitable to the Chico State women's basketball team. In fact, the Wildcats have not tasted success on UC San Diego's home floor since December, 2006. With the Tritons transitioning to Division I following the 2019–20 season, Thursday's game represented the final regular season meeting between the two teams at RIMAC, and for the 16th straight time, UC San Diego found a way to spoil the 'Cats trip to Southern California. A huge second quarter run broke open a close contest, and the Tritons kept Chico State at bay the rest of the way to post a 64-47 victory.
Chico State dropped its third straight decision to drop to 4-4 on the season and 0-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). UC San Diego improved to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
Shay Stark led the Wildcat offense Thursday, scoring a season-high 17 points while pulling down a team-best five rebounds. Daisha Abdelkader added 10 points, with Maddy Wong hitting three 3-pointers on the way to a nine point performance.
Despite being outrebounded 11-4 in the opening period, Chico State held its own against UC San Diego and finished the quarter on top by a score of 15-14. The lead see-sawed several times, with a Wong 3-pointer putting the Wildcats in front for the first time 7-6. Every time the Tritons wrestled the lead away, the 'Cats had an answer with buckets by Abdelkader, Stark, and Mikaila Wegenke. Late free throws by Stark and Hannah Washington gave Chico State the one point advantage heading into the second period.
UC San Diego grabbed the lead back early in the second quarter, but buckets by Stark and Haley Ison put the Wildcats back in front 19-16. But save for a Stark layup, Chico State was held scoreless over the final seven minutes of the period, and the Tritons connected for four 3-points to highlight a 19-2 run to take a commanding 35-21 lead at halftime.
The 'Cats spent the third quarter trying to chip away at the double-digit deficit, and ended up playing UC San Diego even. A 3-pointer by Wong and a three-point play by Stark bookended a 6-0 run to bring Chico State to within 39-29. Thanks to another trey by Wong, the Wildcats once again pulled to within 10 before the Tritons scored the last four points of the period to go up 47-33 heading into the fourth quarter.
Chico State continued to battle in the final period, as Wegenke and Brynn Thoming each hit a jumper and Stark converted four free throws to pull the 'Cats within nine at 52-43 with 5:04 to play. The Wildcats still had plenty of time to make a late charge, but it was not to be—buckets by Stark and Abdelkader were the lone Chico State scores, and UC San Diego outscored the 'Cats 12-4 down the stretch to roll to the 64-47 victory.
The Wildcats return to Acker Gym Saturday to host the Broncos of Cal Poly Pomona (6-3, 2-1 CCAA). Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
