The Chico State women's basketball team returned to California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) action Thursday night at Acker Gym, determined to bounce back from last Saturday's disappointing non-conference loss to UC Santa Cruz. The Wildcats came firing out of the blocks in the first quarter against Cal State Dominguez Hills, building an early double-digit lead, but the 'Cats were unable to sustain its early offensive momentum, scoring just 42 points over the final 30 minutes of play as the visiting Toros came from behind to post a 69-63 victory.
Thursday's loss dropped Chico State to 10-7 on the season and into seventh place in the CCAA standings with a 6-5 conference mark. Cal State Dominguez Hills improved to 9-10 overall and 6-7 in CCAA play.
Haley Ison enjoyed a career night for the 'Cats, recording her first collegiate double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Myli Martinez nailed four 3-pointers to finish with 12 points, with Mikaila Wegenke scoring eight points and hauling in four boards. Shay Stark dished out eight assists on the evening, with Maddy Wong adding six assists. Destinee Williams of Cal State Dominguez Hills led all scorers with 25 points.
The game opened up with each team scoring nine points in the first five minutes of action, but Chico State—fueled by five baskets from Ison—ripped off a 12-2 run to vault to a 10-point lead. A late Dominguez Hills bucket ended the period with the Wildcats up 21-13.
The 'Cats hit just four field goals in the entire second quarter, but three were from behind the 3-point arc. Vanessa Holland drained a trey and Myli Martinez connected twice from downtown to extend Chico State's lead back to 10, only to see the Toros close out the period on a 6-0 run to pull to within 32-28 at halftime.
Dominguez Hills took over the lead less than three minutes into the third quarter, but thanks to a Martinez 3-pointer and baskets by Ison, Wegenke, and Brynn Thoming, the Wildcats scrambled from four points down to knot up the contest at 44-all with 2:26 left in the period. The Toros tallied five unanswered points to jump back in front and take a 49-44 lead into the fourth quarter.
The 'Cats fell behind 53-46 early in the final 10-minute stanza, but once again fought their way back into the contest—a Wegenke layup and 3-pointers by Wong, Holland, and Thoming brought the Wildcats to within 60-58 with 4:10 left to play. Unfortunately for Chico State, they were held without a field goal the rest of the way, allowing Dominguez Hills to slowly pull away. The Toros quickly padded their lead to six, and thanks to a field goal and three free throws in the final minute, Dominguez Hills was able to run out the clock and register the 69-63 victory, evening the season series and handing the 'Cats their second straight defeat.
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday, hosting the Golden Eagles of Cal State LA (8-10, 6-6 CCAA) at Acker Gym. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 p.m.
