SAN FRANCISCO—The 2022–23 edition of the Chico State women's basketball team got its first taste of competition Saturday in its season-opening exhibition against the University of San Francisco, and though the Wildcats dropped a 104-80 decision to the Division I Dons at War Memorial Gym, head coach Brian Fogel's squad frequently exhibited the type of play that will make the 'Cats a force to be reckoned with when regular season play gets underway in mid-November.
The Wildcats' 80 points on the night proved they can score on anybody, and not have to rely on just one or two players to carry the offensive load. No less than four 'Cats scored in double figures against USF, with Zhane Duckett leading the way with 14 points. Myli Martinez connected on a trio of 3-balls on the way to a 13-point performance, while Haley Ison and Brandy Huffhines registered 12 points apiece. Jordan Morris and Makenzi Laporte also made several contributions to the Chico State attack Saturday, combining to score 17 points. Morris led the Wildcats with seven rebounds, while Duckett added six boards and a team-high three assists.
The Wildcats led 4-0 early in the first quarter as Morris opened the scoring with a jumper and two free throws. Laporte knocked down a pair of buckets and Huffhines buried Chico State's first 3-pointer of the season, but for the most part the period didn't produce a lot of points for either team, as both the 'Cats and Dons exhibited their defensive chops. USF hit three free throws just before the end of the quarter to take a 15-13 lead.
Both offenses heated up in the second period, as Chico State and USF combined to score 65 points. Martinez owned the hot shooting hand for the Wildcats, connecting three times from downtown, while Huffhines hit another trey and Ison added a pair of field goals. The Dons' offense was a bit more effective, though, especially in the late stages of the quarter. The 'Cats were down just 31-28 when USF finished out the period on a 22-12 run, and Chico State found itself down 53-40 at halftime.
The Dons kept the pedal to the metal in the third period, at one point opening up a 28-point advantage. Duckett had a productive quarter for the 'Cats, scoring eight points, but despite baskets by Morris and Jazmyne Lillie, USF was in firm control of the contest with an 80-56 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Chico State continued to battle, matching the Dons' 24 points during the final 10-minute stanza. Morgan Mathis delivered her first 3-pointer of the season, while the Wildcats also had scoring contributions in the final period from Laporte, Ison, Huffhines, Martinez, Sophia Williams, and Jiana Creswell. The 'Cats outscored USF 11-4 over the final four minutes before the Dons ran out the clock to post the 104-80 victory.
Chico State wraps up its short exhibition schedule on Wednesday, as the Wildcats travel to Las Vegas to battle Division I University of Nevada Las Vegas. Tipoff is slated for 6:30 p.m.
