MONMOUTH, Oregon—The Chico State women's basketball team knew it would be facing a stiff test this weekend at the CCAA/GNAC Challenge. Facing two quality opponents over two days, it was imperative that the Wildcats bring their "A" game to add to their early season win total. It didn't happen Friday against tournament host Western Oregon. The 'Cats shot a chilly 27 percent from the field and were outrebounded 55-38 in falling to the Wolves 68-60 in Monmouth, Oregon.
 
Friday's loss—Chico State's first of the season—dropped the Wildcats to 3-1 overall. Western Oregon registered its first-ever win against Chico State to improve to 2-1 on the season.
 
Charity Gallegos led the 'Cats with 20 points, with 12 coming in the fourth quarter. Myli Martinez hit three 3-pointers and finished with 13 points while adding four assists, and Makenzi Laporte delivered 12 points, seven rebounds, and two blocked shots. Laporte and Jordan Morris topped Chico State in the rebounding department with seven boards apiece.
 
Western Oregon dominated the first nine minutes of the opening quarter, controlling the glass on both ends of the floor and using its defense to hold Chico State to just a single field goal. With the Wolves up 8-6, Western Oregon ripped off 12 unanswered points to balloon its lead to 18-6. The Wildcats finally woke up offensively in the final minute of the quarter—Laporte hit a free throw and a layup, and Martinez drained a 3-pointer just before the end of the period, pulling Chico State to within 18-12.
 
A pair of Laporte free throws, a layup by Haley Ison, and a Gallegos jumper whittled the Wildcat deficit to two at 20-18 four minutes in the second quarter. Following a pair of Wolves' free throws, Martinez knocked down her second tray of the contest, and Ison converted a layup to put Chico State on top 23-22 with 3:36 left in the period. The lead was short-lived, however, as Western Oregon scored seven of the final nine points of the quarter to take a 29-25 lead into halftime.
 
Two 3-pointers by the Wolves pushed their advantage to 10 early in the third quarter, but with the score 37-27, Chico State used a 7-0 run—Gallegos hitting two jump shots, and Laporte contributing a free throw and a layup—to pull to within three. The 'Cats crept even closer at the end of the period, and on the strength of 3-pointers by Martinez and Bailey Jones and a pair of Martinez free throws, Chico State trailed by one at 47-46 heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Wildcats missed two chances to take the lead in the period's opening minute, leaving the door open for Western Oregon to score 11 straight points to establish a double-digit lead at 58-46. Gallegos answered with a pair of 3-pointers and Ison hit two foul shots to quickly make it a 60-54 contest. Thanks to two Gallegos baskets, the 'Cats found themselves down by just four at 62-58 with two minutes remaining. That would be as close as Chico State would get, however, as the Wolves iced the Wildcats' comeback bid with a bucket and four three throws down the stretch, giving Western Oregon the 68-60 victory.
 
The Wildcats wrap up the CCAA/GNAC Challenge Saturday when they take on the Saints of Saint Martin's (3-0). Tipoff is scheduled for 12 noon; fans can follow the action locally on KPAY Sports 1290-AM Radio, with Mike Baca's broadcast also accessible on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website.
 
Live Stats and live stream video are also available online, with links located on the Chico State women's basketball schedule page and home page calendar on the Wildcat Athletics website, at chicowildcats.com.