TURLOCK—It was a tale of two halves for the Chico State women's basketball team Saturday in Turlock. The Wildcats could do no wrong offensively in the first half against Stanislaus State, shooting a blistering 60 percent from the field while turning the ball over just five times. The second half was a much different story. The 'Cats shot less than 35 percent and committed 13 turnovers—six in the pivotal fourth quarter—as the host Warriors outscored Chico State 39-26 in the final 20 minutes of play to post a 77-73 win at Fitzpatrick Arena.
 
Saturday's loss—Chico State's third in the last four games—dropped the Wildcats to 12-7 on the season and 9-7 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Stanislaus State evened the series with the 'Cats while improving to 7-15 overall and 6-12 in conference play.
 
Shay Stark led the Wildcats with 22 points on the night, while matching her career high with seven rebounds. Natalie Valenzuela poured in 18 points, and McKena Barker posted her seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Madison Wong was held to just seven points, but dished out a career-high 10 assists.
 
The Chico State offense was firing on all cylinders from the beginning of the contest. Layups by Barker and Stark, and 3-pointers by Valenzuela and Vanessa Holland staked the Wildcats to a 10-4 lead early in the first quarter. Stanislaus State was also executing on the offensive end, overtaking the 'Cats with a 12-5 run to go up 16-15. Stark briefly put Chico State back in front with a 3-pointer, but a last-second trey by the Warriors finished the period with Stanislaus leading 22-21.
 
Stanislaus extended its advantage to 28-25 when the Wildcats surged out in front—3-pointers by Stark and Wong, and buckets by Stark, Valenzuela, and Mikaila Wegenke keyed a 12-2 run to give Chico State a 37-30 lead. Stanislaus pulled within a deuce at 38-36, only to see the 'Cats finish the second quarter on a 9-2 run—a 3-pointer by Haley Ison and layups by Barker and Valenzuela made the score 47-38 at halftime.
 
Stanislaus applied some backcourt pressure early in the third quarter, briefly bottling up the Chico State offense. The Warriors crept to within 48-45, but a Barker layup and a pair of free throws by Hannah Washington gave the Wildcats a little breathing room, upping their advantage to seven. The Warriors used an 8-2 run to pull to within 54-53, but Stark converted a jumper and 3-pointer to make it a 59-53 game. Stanislaus dropped in a bucket at the end of the period, and Chico State advanced to the fourth quarter with a 59-55 lead.
 
Two early 3-pointers put Stanislaus in front in the final 10-minute stanza, but a Valenzuela layup evened up the contest at 61-all. With the Warriors' pressure defense continuing to cause problems for the 'Cats, Stanislaus went back in front 67-63. Chico State quickly regrouped, using a Barker layup and a three-point play by Valenzuela to grab a 68-67 lead with 2:50 to play. The rally turned out to be the Wildcats' last hurrah—the Warriors went on an 8-2 run in crunch time to go up 75-70 with 23 seconds remaining.
 
Wong railed a 3-pointer to pull the 'Cats to within two, and Chico State quickly fouled with 10 seconds to go. The Wildcats got the result they wanted as the Warriors missed two free throws, but the 'Cats were unable to snare the rebound, and were forced to foul again. This time, Stanislaus converted its two foul shots to ice the game and register the 77-73 victory.  

Chico State returns to Acker Gym next week to host conference foes Cal State San Bernardino (9-13, 8-10 CCAA) Thursday and Cal Poly Pomona (19-3, 15-2 CCAA) on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m.

CHICO STATE GIVING DAY
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