POMONA—A lot was riding on the Chico State women's basketball team's Saturday regular season finale: positive momentum heading into postseason play; a possible move up the seeding ladder for the upcoming California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament, and an opportunity to bolster the Wildcats' chances of earning an NCAA Championship Tournament berth. But an ineffective offense did the 'Cats in against Cal Poly Pomona—with Chico State shooting just 29 percent from the field, the Broncos were able to squeak out a 56-53 victory at Kellogg Arena.
 
Chico State ends the regular season 18-10 overall and 14-8 in the CCAA, earning the fifth seed in next week's conference tournament. Cal Poly Pomona improved to 17-9 overall and 14-8 in the CCAA, and on the strength of sweeping the season series with Chico State, claims the conference tourney's number four seed. That sets up a rematch between the Wildcats and Broncos in the CCAA Tournament quarterfinals, set for Thursday at 8 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Arena in Turlock.
 
Despite Chico State's poor shooting Saturday, Morgan Mathis was deadly from downtown, hitting five 3-pointers to lead the Wildcats in scoring with 15 points. Jordan Morris added eight points and five rebounds, with Zhane Duckett and Myli Martinez contributing seven points apiece. Haley Ison was Chico State's top rebounder with eight boards on the afternoon.
 
Cal Poly Pomona raced out to an early 9-0 first quarter lead, and the game was three minutes in before Chico State finally got on the board via an Ison jumper. Martinez followed with a 3-pointer, but six unanswered Pomona points extended the Broncos' advantage to 15-5. Morris and Bailey Jones dropped in layups before the end of the period, with Cal Poly Pomona leading 17-9 heading into the second quarter.
 
Mathis and Brandy Huffhines set the tone for a productive second period for the 'Cats, opening the quarter with back-to-back 3-pointers to pull Chico State to within two. Pomona scored seven straight points to balloon its lead to nine, but the Wildcats answered with a 10-0 run—Mathis and Makenzi Laporte draining 3-pointers, and Morris adding a jumper and a layup—to put Chico State in front 25-24. The lead was brief, though, as two late Broncos buckets gave Pomona a 28-26 halftime advantage.
 
The offense went back into the doldrums for both teams in the third quarter, but Pomona was still able to stretch it lead to seven. The 'Cats then came alive—a Laporte layup and two Mathis 3-pointers highlighted an 8-0 Chico State run to put the Wildcats in front 40-39. The Broncos briefly went back on top, but Ison ended the period by hitting a short jumper, giving Chico State a 42-41 lead.
 
The 'Cats carried the momentum into the final 10-minute stanza, with 3-pointers by Mathis and Laporte, and two Martinez free throws pushing Chico State's advantage to 50-43 with 6:21 remaining. Then suddenly, the Wildcats went cold at exactly the wrong time, going four-and-a-half minutes without scoring. That allowed Pomona to tally 10 unanswered points and go back in front 53-50 with 2:18 left. A Duckett three-point play tied up the contest with 1:55 to go, but a Broncos basket with 1:31 to play put Pomona back in front.
 
The Wildcats had possession of the ball and a chance to tie or win the game with 25 seconds remaining, but were unable to convert. The Broncos knocked down a free throw to make it a three-point contest with four seconds remaining, and as time ran out, a desperation 3-pointer by the 'Cats fell short, giving Cal Poly Pomona the 56-53 victory.  
 
CHICO STATE GIVING DAY IS 3.1.23

This Wednesday is Chico State Giving Day. The support of our Wildcat Family over the years has helped propel our student-athletes' excellence.
 
Since the effort began in 2017, the impact of our supporters is unmatched, generously donating $529,743 during that span.
 
Chico State Athletics is about:

• Excelling academically.
• Contributing in the community.
• Conquering in competition.

 During Giving Day 2022, 660 donors gave 876 gifts for a grand total of $123,537 in support our student-athletes and to plant seeds for an even brighter future.
 
Please help us aim even higher with your gift during Chico State Giving Day 2023 on March 1. Donate to your favorite athletics program or contribute to our priority funds.
 
Your gift to the Wildcat Athletic Fund (which provides for the department's greatest overall needs), Student-Athlete Success, and/or your favorite program, gets us a crucial step closer to the next special moment for our Wildcat Family.
 
You can also help us make this the most successful year yet by becoming a Giving Day Ambassador for a team you care about. Your participation makes a significant difference and inspires others to give a gift.
 
We go farther together than we do alone. Thank you!