SEASIDE—Offensively, it was something of a Jekyll and Hyde afternoon for the Chico State women's basketball team Saturday against Cal State Monterey Bay. The Wildcats shot just 25 percent from the field and missed all 14 of their 3-point attempts in the first two quarters, but in the third period morphed into a monster offensively, hitting nine of 18 shots—including five from beyond the arc—and with the defense playing superbly throughout, the 'Cats racked up a 63-49 win over the host Otters at The Kelp Bed in Seaside.
Saturday's win—Chico State's second straight—moves the Wildcats to 7-6 on the season and evens their California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) record at 4-4. Cal State Monterey Bay dropped its eighth straight decision to fall to 1-11 overall and 0-8 in conference play.
Myli Martinez and Bailey Jones were the high scorers for the 'Cats Saturday, with each scoring 11 points. Makenzi Laporte contributed nine points and five rebounds, while Haley Ison scored eight points and hauled in 10 boards. Charity Gallegos scored all eight of her points in the second half, and led the 'Cats with four assists. Morgan Mathis hit a pair of 3-pointers in the pivotal third quarter and finished with six points, while Jordan Morris chipped in with six points and five rebounds on the afternoon.
The Chico State defense held Monterey Bay to just 15 field goals on the day, and the 49 points allowed is the lowest the Wildcats have surrendered to an opponent in a single game since holding Holy Names to 46 points back in mid-November.
Layups by Martinez and Jones, combined with a pair of short jumpers by Ison, helped Chico State jump out to an early lead in the first quarter. The Wildcats' defense was particularly impressive at the start of the contest, holding Monterey Bay scoreless through the first five minutes of play. Despite several open looks at the bucket, though, the 'Cats' offense was unable get the ball to drop in the second half of the period, missing a golden opportunity to add to their advantage, and had to be content with a 13-7 lead heading into the second period.
The Wildcats' cold shooting continued throughout the second quarter, resulting in just three field goals. Monterey Bay, meanwhile, was converting its field goal attempts, resulting in a 17-5 run to give the Otters a 24-18 lead. Chico State was able to whittle the deficit to just two by halftime, as Jordan Morris hit a jumper and a pair of free throws to bring the 'Cats to within 24-22 at intermission.
Chico State came out firing in the third quarter, as 3-pointers by Martinez and Jones and a driving layup by Gallegos highlighted an 8-0 run to put the Wildcats back in front 30-24. Following two Otters free throws, the 'Cats once again scored eight unanswered points—Martinez and Morgan Mathis each drained treys, and Gallegos dropped in a layup to balloon Chico State's advantage to 38-26. Mathis would hit another 3-pointer later in the period, and with Laporte and Jazmyne Lillie each knocking down a bucket, the Wildcats took a 45-35 lead into the final 10-minute stanza.
Chico State made the lead stand up throughout the fourth quarter. Monterey Bay crept to within seven at 49-42, but that would be as close as the Otters would get. The Wildcats' defense stepped up again, holding the Otters scoreless for nearly six minutes, and thanks to baskets by Jones, Ison, and Gallegos, along with multiple free throws by Ison, Jones, and Martinez, the 'Cats fashioned a 13-1 run to go up 62-43 and effectively put the game away. Monterey Bay hit a pair of 3-pointers in the waning seconds, but it wasn't nearly enough to keep Chico State from registering the 63-49 victory.
Chico State stays on the road next week, as the Wildcats travel to Arcata Thursday for a 5:30 p.m. contest against Humboldt State. Saturday the 'Cats will be in Rohnert Park to play a 1 p.m. matinee against Sonoma State.
