ROHNERT PARK – The Chico State women's basketball team's defense was solid, but Sonoma State's offense proved to be better, especially in the second half, as the Seawolves rallied to erase a 17-point deficit and beat the Wildcats 56-52 Thursday evening in The Wolves' Den.
 
Despite both teams shooting nearly 33 percent from the field, the Wildcats (4-4, 1-2 CCAA) were outscored 34-13 late in the second half. During the final 15 minutes of the game, the Seawolves (6-2, 2-1 CCAA) would hit 10-of-17 from the perimeter while the Wildcats were 4-for-21 with only one from 3-point range.
 
Zhane Duckett continues to reach her season average, scoring 16 points and having six of the Wildcats' eighth assists. Morgan Mathis, in her second game coming off injury, contributed to 11 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
 
The Wildcats defense held the Seawolves' leading scorer Alli McDonald to nine points but she dominated the glass with 15 boards. Madisyn Clark had 11 points to lead Sonoma while Sienna Cherwinski and Emerson Hermann each had 10.
 
All cylinders were clicking for the Wildcats in the first half, which they had a 31-20 going into the locker room for intermission. They were 12-for-31 (38.7 percent) from the field while holding the Seawolves to 24.2 percent (8-for-33). Mathis had eight points and four rebounds at the halfway point in the game.
 
The Wildcats opened the third quarter on an 8-2 run to build a 39-22 lead, the largest gap in the game.
 
Sonoma fully erased the deficit with 1:34 left, when Hermann made an old-fashion 3-point play to tie the game at 50 apiece. It was all free throws from that point on as neither side could get a field goal. The Seawolves went 6-for-6 from the free throw line while the Wildcats got only a pair of free throws from a quiet Brandy Huffhines.
 
Chico State will hop on a play to visit Cal State San Marcos for a Saturday showdown at 1 p.m. The Cougars are coming off a 57-43 win over Cal Poly Humboldt Thursday night.