SAN RAFAEL—After a disappointing season-opening loss Friday to Fresno Pacific, the Chico State women's basketball team was more determined than ever not to come home empty handed. Taking on Dominican University Saturday in the final game of the two-day CCAA/PacWest Tipoff Challenge, the Wildcats erased a six-point second quarter deficit and never looked back, outscoring the host Penguins 50-38 the rest of the way to win their first game of the 2022–23 season by a final of 68-62.
Chico State improved to 1-1 with Saturday's win, while Dominican dropped to 0-2 on the young season.
Makenzi Laporte led the Wildcats, posting career highs of 18 points and 17 rebounds. Myli Martinez connected for three 3-pointers to finish with 13 points, while Zhane Duckett scored a dozen and grabbed seven boards. Brandy Huffhines contributed 10 points to the 'Cats' attack, with Jordan Morris scoring eight points and snaring 11 rebounds on the night.
Two baskets by Morris and free throws by Laporte and Martinez staked Chico State to an early 8-6 first quarter lead. Dominican quickly tied up the contest, but the Wildcats responded with a Martinez 3-pointer and a Duckett layup to go back on top 13-8. The rest of the period belonged to the Penguins, which outscored the 'Cats 11-2 over the final five minutes of the quarter to go up 19-15.
A Martinez 3-pointer was the only offense Chico State could muster over the first three-and-a-half minutes of the second period, allowing Dominican to extend its advantage to 24-18. The Wildcats' shots finally starting falling with regularity, with 3-pointers by Martinez, Duckett, and Brandy Huffhines highlighting a 17-3 run that gave Chico State a 35-27 halftime lead.
The Wildcats and Penguins went toe-to-toe in the third quarter, with Laporte serving as Chico State's main offensive weapon. The sophomore tallied 10 points in the period, and along with a 3-pointer from Huffhines and buckets by Martinez and Haley Ison, the Wildcats ended the period with a 55-45 advantage.
Chico State did not relinquish the lead in the final 10-minute stanza, but Dominican definitely made it interesting down the stretch, cutting the deficit to four with 1:57 to play. But with the score 64-60, the Wildcats defense stiffened and allowed just one Penguins field goal in crunch time, and with Huffhines delivering a layup and two free throws in the final minute, Chico State was able to run out the clock and secure the 68-62 victory.
The Wildcats play their first home games of the season next weekend, as they host the CCAA/GNAC Challenge at Acker Gym. The two-day event features two games Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19. Friday's first game begins at 5 p.m. with Sonoma State facing off against Saint Martin's, followed by Chico State and Western Oregon at 7 p.m. Saturday the Wildcats play the early game, squaring off against Saint Martin's at 1 p.m., with Sonoma State and Western Oregon going head-to-head at 3 p.m.
