Seven minutes into Saturday afternoon's Chico State-Cal State San Bernardino women's basketball game, the host Wildcats found themselves down by 10 points and in danger of dropping back-to-back contests for the first time all season. But the 'Cats were able to find their collective groove both offensively and defensively—from 2:54 left in the first quarter to 4:44 remaining in the fourth, Chico State outscored the Coyotes 50-22 on the way to registering a 67-56 victory at Acker Gym.
With Saturday's win, the Wildcats improved to 10-6 on the season and moved into sole possession of fifth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 6-4 conference record. Cal State San Bernardino slipped to 8-8 overall and 3-7 in CCAA play.
Zhane Duckett contributed in all facets of the 'Cats' victory, scoring 13 points, grabbing eight rebounds, dishing out four assists, notching four steals, and blocking three shots. Makenzi Laporte also scored 13 points and pulled down down seven boards, while Haley Ison and Myli Martinez each posted 11 points on the afternoon. Brandy Huffhines scored seven points and doled out four assists in the winning effort.
San Bernardino struck first by scoring the first four points of the contest, and after Huffhines got the Wildcats on the board with a 3-pointer, the Coyotes went on a 12-3 run to quickly go up 16-6. Chico State stayed within hollering distance by making five free throws in the final two minutes of the quarter, and at the end of the period cut San Bernardino's lead to 18-11.
With the 'Yotes up 22-13, the 'Cats used two Duckett buckets and a 3-pointer by Martinez to tie the game. After San Bernardino briefly went back in front, Laporte buried a trey to give Chico State a 25-24 lead. The Coyotes jumped back on top late in the period, but two Ison free throws in the final 26 seconds gave the Wildcats a 31-30 halftime advantage.
Chico State slowly extended its lead in the third quarter, thanks in large part to a great defensive effort. The 'Cats held San Bernardino to just one field goal throughout the period, and with Martinez hitting a pair of shots and two free throws, Chico State fashioned a 41-32 advantage. San Bernardino whittled the deficit down to four, but late baskets by Laporte and Duckett ended the quarter with the 'Cats up 45-38.
The Wildcats' defense continued to clamp down in the fourth period, holding the Coyotes scoreless through the first five-and-a-half minutes. Meanwhile, Jazmyne Lillie highlighted an 11-0 Chico State run to bump the lead up to 18 at 56-38. San Bernardino could get no closer than nine points the rest of the way, as the 'Cats closed things out on a 3-pointer by Ison, three Sonia Williams free throws, and a late layup by Stella Rollo to lock down the 67-56 victory.
Chico State hits the road next week for a pair of CCAA conference matchups. Thursday at 5:30 p.m. the Wildcats will be in Seaside to take on Cal State Monterey Bay, followed by a 1 p.m. Saturday showdown with San Francisco State.
