It's well known around the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) that the Chico State women's basketball team is a talented unit, but if there's one thing the Wildcats have struggled with this season, it's closing out games that they've either led big or led late. Several times in the 2018–19 campaign the 'Cats have fallen victim to a late opponent rally or failing to execute in crunch time. Such was the case Thursday night at Acker Gym, as Chico State let an eight-point fourth quarter lead slip away, and despite battling through two overtime periods, eventually dropped an 87-76 decision to Cal State San Bernardino.
With the loss—the Wildcats' third straight and fourth in the last five games—Chico State dipped to 12-8 on the season and into a tie with Cal State San Marcos for fourth place in the CCAA standings. Cal State San Bernardino snapped a two-game losing streak and kept its postseason hopes alive, improving to 10-13 overall and 9-10 in conference play.
Vanessa Holland led three Wildcat scorers in double figures Thursday, pouring in a career-high 19 points while pulling down six rebounds. Natalie Valenzuela contributed 14 points, handed out a career-best five assists, and blocked four shots, while McKena Barker posted her eighth double-double of the season and 20th of her Chico State career with 14 points and 17 rebounds.
The 'Cats' offense was stymied early in the contest, with only one field goal converted in the first six-and-a-half minutes. San Bernardino took advantage and built an 11-2 lead, but Chico State closed the gap before the end of the period—a 3-pointer by Valenzuela and baskets by Hannah Washington and Mikaila Wegenke brought the Wildcats to within 13-9 heading into the second quarter.
Holland scored seven of the 'Cats' 23 points in the second period, nailing a 3-ball and draining a jumper to highlight a 10-4 run that put Chico State on top 25-23. A Shay Stark 3-pointer, two free throws by Valenzuela, and a fast break layup by Holland kept the Wildcats in front, with Chico State owning a 32-28 lead at halftime.
The 'Cats stretched their advantage to nine midway through the third quarter, but before the end of the period the Coyotes had twice whittled the deficit to a single point. Buckets by Barker and Holland over the final minute-and-a-half gave the Wildcats a 52-47 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Holland opened the final 10-minute stanza with a 3-pointer, and with 6:44 to play Madison Wong buried a trey to widen the Wildcats' lead to 58-51. But Chico State could score only four more points in regulation, enabling San Bernardino to climb back into the contest. The Coyotes took advantage of two costly Chico State turnovers to knot up the contest with 38 seconds to go, and despite both teams having a chance to get off a shot before the horn, the game headed into overtime deadlocked at 62-all.
The Wildcats nearly pulled off some magic in the first overtime period. Trailing 68-67, Holland hurtled through the lane and was fouled as she converted a layup, and the free throw to finish up the three-point play gave Chico State a 70-68 lead with 22 seconds to play. San Bernardino's Kayla Bibb dropped in a layup with seven ticks left on the clock, however, tying up the game at 70-apiece and forcing a second overtime.
The Coyotes' Jasmine Sauser—who scored a career-high 36 points on the night—took over the contest in the second OT, nailing three straight treys to essentially put the game out of reach. Sauser's final 3-pointer put San Bernardino up 79-72 with just under a minute to play, and with time running out, the Wildcats were forced to foul. The Coyotes converted seven free throws over the final 49 seconds to salt away the hard-fought 87-76 win and sweep the season series with the 'Cats.
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday, hosting Cal Poly Pomona at Acker Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Chico State Athletics is teaming up with the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, and is asking every fan who attends Saturday night's basketball doubleheader to bring a donation to the Pantry—nutritious non-perishable food times, toiletries, or cash.
