The emotions ran high Saturday as Mikaela Bismillah was celebrated during the Chico State women's basketball team's Senior Night festivities, and the game that followed between the Wildcats and Cal State East Bay only added to an electric evening. Already assured of a berth in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament, the 'Cats nearly took down one of the top teams in the West Region in the final game of the regular season, but it was the visiting Pioneers that came away with a 74-66 win at Acker Gym.
 
Chico State ends the 2021–22 campaign with an overall 13-10 record and a fifth place finish in the CCAA with a 10-8 conference mark. But there's more basketball to be played, as the Wildcats, seeded fifth in the CCAA Tournament, will take on No. 4 Cal State Dominguez Hills (13-11, 11-8 CCAA) in quarterfinal action Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Lumberjack Arena in Arcata.
 
Cal State East Bay (20-2, 15-1 CCAA), the No. 3 team in the NCAA West Region rankings, earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the CCAA Tournament.
 
Charity Gallegos was the Wildcats' high scorer Saturday, posting 18 points while dishing out five assists. Myli Martinez contributed 14 points, with Morgan Mathis draining a trio of 3-pointers to finish with 11 points. Haley Ison provided the 'Cats with eight points and a team-high nine rebounds on the night.
 
The play in the first half was spirited but sloppy, as Chico State and East Bay combined for 26 turnovers over the first two periods. The opening quarter was a low-scoring affair, with the Wildcats using 3-pointers by Mathis and Gallegos to build an early 10-4 lead. A Martinez trey was the 'Cats' lone bucket over the final three minutes of the period, as the Pioneers pulled to within 13-9 heading into the second quarter.
 
The two teams exchanged leads through the early part of the second period, but with East Bay up 16-14, Chico State went on a 10-2 run—Bailey Jones dropped in a pair of layups, with Ison, Mathis, and Stella Rollo all hitting field goals—to put the Wildcats back on top 24-18. The Pioneers answered by scoring nine of the last 11 points in the period, and East Bay took a 27-26 lead into halftime.
 
The offenses really started to cook in the third quarter, as both the Wildcats and Pioneers scored 21 points. East Bay briefly held a double-digit lead at 41-31 before Chico State scored eight straight points—Gallegos nailed a jumper, Ison hit three free throws, and Mathis buried a 3-ball from downtown—to pull the 'Cats to within two. Even with a Gallegos 3-pointer at the end of the quarter, the Pioneers maintained their advantage, finishing the period up 48-47.
 
The start of the fourth quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with six lead changes in the first two minutes of the period. East Bay was on top 56-53 when Gallegos buried a 3-pointer and Rollo hit a jumper to move the 'Cats in front by two with 5:52 remaining. But it would turn out to be Chico State's final lead of the game, as the Pioneers went ahead to stay midway through the period and methodically extended their advantage to 68-60 with 1:38 to play.
 
Martinez and Mathis each drained a 3-pointer down the stretch, but the Wildcats could get no closer than five the rest of the way, with Cal State East Bay surviving a major scare in the season finale to win going away 74-66.
 
Fans can follow Chico State's CCAA Tournament quarterfinal game against Cal State Dominguez Hills on the Internet via Live Stats and live streaming video with a CCAA Network subscription. The game will also be heard locally on KPAY Sports 1290 AM, with Mike Wessel's play-by-play simulcasted online. Links will be available on the Wildcat Athletics website.
 
Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry Week
It's Chico State Athletics Pack The Pantry Week and we have set a big goal—10,000 items—which would break the record we set last year. We need your help to reach it. You can donate monetarily HERE and every dollar will count for two items.

You can also drop off a donation at Nettleton Stadium during Sunday's Chico State-Sonoma State baseball game, or at the Pantry itself Monday through Friday until 3 p.m., or by calling 530-898-4098 to make arrangements. Thank you for your support of Chico State's students, including student-athletes!