LOS ANGELES—A month ago the Chico State women's basketball team was seven games over .500 and positioning itself to host a first round game in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament. As February winds down, the Wildcats are now officially fighting for their postseason lives. The 'Cats dropped their fifth straight contest and sixth of the last seven Thursday, bowing to Cal State LA 52-51 at the Eagles Nest.
The loss dropped Chico State to 12-10 on the season and into a tie for fifth place in the CCAA with a 9-10 conference mark. Cal State LA, which had lost 12 of its last 14 entering play, improved to 9-15 overall and 6-14 in CCAA play.
Just as concerning as Thursday's loss is the fact that things have tightened up considerably in the middle of the conference standings. With just three regular season games remaining, the Wildcats are even with Cal State East Bay, just a half-game ahead of seventh place Cal State San Bernardino (9-11) and only one in front of San Francisco State, Sonoma State, and Cal State Dominguez Hills (all 8-11). The top eight teams in the conference will advance to next month's CCAA Tournament.
McKena Barker scored 11 points and eight rebounds to lead the Wildcats, with Shay Stark contributing eight points and eight rebounds. Vanessa Holland also scored eight, with Myli Martinez hitting two of Chico State's seven 3-pointers on the way to a seven-point night. Madison Wong and Natalie Valenzuela each scoried six points and handed out six assists.
The 'Cats shot 37.5 percent (21for-56) from the field, but connected on just 28 percent of their 3-pointers. Chico State fared even worse at the free throw line, hitting only two of 10 foul shots.
It took over two minutes for either team to score before Holland finally broke the seal with a 3-pointer. A Stark layup and a 3-pointer by Wong gave Chico State an early 8-6 lead, but Cal State LA used an 8-0 run to go up 14-8. The Wildcats closed out the quarter with buckets by Stark and Hannah Washington, slicing the Golden Eagles' lead to 14-12 heading into the second period.
The game stayed close throughout the second quarter, as the 'Cats tied the score four different times over the first eight minutes. Chiderah Uzowuru converted a three-point play and a layup to put Cal State LA on top by five, but had to be content with a 28-26 lead as Martinez buried a 3-pointer just before halftime.
The Golden Eagles increased their advantage to five points a minute into the third quarter, but a 7-2 Wildcats run—highlighted by another Martinez trey—tied the contest at 35-all. Cal State LA used three free throws to jump back on top, only to see Wong knock down a 3-pointer with 40 seconds remaining in the period to knot up the contest 38-38.
The fourth quarter was played as tightly as the previous three. Cal State LA scored the first two baskets of the period, but Holland answered with a 3-pointer to pull the Wildcats to within 42-41. The Golden Eagles would not relinquish the lead, but Chico State never gave up—twice down by five points, the 'Cats used late layups by Stark, Barker and Valenzuela to creep to within one with 15 seconds to play.
Chico State forced a turnover on defense, and with 9.3 seconds remaining, got the ball back with a chance to win it. The Wildcats failed to convert the game-winning score, and with the Golden Eagles grabbing the rebound, the 'Cats were forced to foul. Cal State LA was able to run out the clock and escape with the 52-51 victory.
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday, taking on Cal State Dominguez Hills (12-13, 8-11 CCAA) at the Torodome in Carson. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.
