ROHNERT PARK – Coming off a sour defeat to open the season Friday night at Sonoma State's Wolves' Den, the Chico State women's basketball team returned to the floor Saturday and put up three strong quarters, especially in the second half, to beat Fresno Pacific 86-52 for the first win on the season-opening weekend.
After a quiet night last night, the Wildcats saw many of their players wake up and reach double figures in points. Starting with last year's first-team All-CCAAs Brandy Huffhines and Zhane Ducket, who dropped in 15 and 14 points, respectively. Stella Rollo scored 11 points while Makenzi Laporte and Ashleigh Barr each had 10.
Overall, every Wildcat found the bucket and collectively hit 54.2 percent from the field while the Sunbirds (1-1) went a cold 23.5 percent.
Rebounding also belonged to Chico State, which out-played Fresno Pacific in that category, 46-37. Jadence Clifton led the effort on the glass with eight of them, all on the defensive side.
Chico State jumped right out of the gate and built a 23-17 lead eight minutes in. The Wildcats ended the first quarter leading by 12. Fresno Pacific managed to get back into the game at the remainder of the half, which outscored the Wildcats 18-10 to send Chico State into the locker room lead 33-29.
Having built an eight-point lead nearly halfway into the third quarter, Huffhines got hot and hit three straight 3-point baskets to give Chico State a commanding 50-33 lead.
The Wildcats led by as many as 35 points late into the second half.
Chico State heads to the Lacey, Washington to take on two GNAC opponents starting with Western Oregon Friday at 3 p.m. and then against host Saint Martin's Saturday at 3 p.m.
