SAN MARCOS—For three quarters, a scrappy, hustling Chico State women's basketball team gave every indication that an eighth straight victory against one of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) was definitely within reach. But Cal State San Marcos came up big in the final 10-minute stanza, and combined with the Wildcats shooting just 30 percent in the second half and being outrebounded 53-30 on the night, the Cougars handed the 'Cats a 62-52 loss at The Sports Complex in San Marcos.
Thursday's loss dropped Chico State to 16-7 on the season and into fourth place in the CCAA standings with a 12-5 conference mark. Cal State San Marcos, completing a regular season series sweep of the Wildcats, won its fifth in a row to improve to 18-3 overall and 15-2 in CCAA play.
Jordan Morris led the Wildcats, scoring a career-high 18 points while hauling in seven rebounds. Brandy Huffhines added 13 points to the 'Cats' attack, with Zhane Duckett posting nine points, five rebounds, and three steals.
Jordan Vasquez of Cal State San Marcos led all scorers with 21 points while grabbing 19 rebounds.
The Wildcats and Cougars essentially played straight up in the first quarter. San Marcos went up early 6-4, but jumpers by Duckett and Morris, and a pair of Morris free throws gave Chico State a 10-8 lead. The Cougars quickly tied the score, only to see the 'Cats finish out the quarter with a Myli Martinez free throw and a buzzer-beating jumper by Huffhines to put Chico State back on top 17-14.
Defense took center stage in the second quarter. The 'Cats scored just 13 points, but the Chico State defense held San Marcos to just two field goals in the period. A Huffhines jumper, a layup by Morris and two Bailey Jones free throws pushed the Wildcats' advantage to eight, and after the Cougars connected on a 3-pointer, Huffhines, Morris, and Duckett delivered buckets to extend Chico State's lead to 30-21. San Marcos hit another trey as the period ended, and the two teams went into halftime with the 'Cats up 30-24.
An 11-3 San Marcos run early in the third quarter put the Cougars on top 35-33. The Wildcats twice knotted up the score, and after San Marcos retook the lead, layups by Morris and Huffhines put Chico State in front 41-40. The Cougars dropped in a layup as the period ended, and San Marcos took a 42-41 lead into the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats battled, but the final period belonged to the Cougars. Morris hit the first shot of the fourth quarter, but the 'Cats' one-point lead was promptly wiped out by San Marcos, which went on a 13-0 run to take command of the contest and go up 55-43. Chico State could not mount any sort of comeback, registering just three field goals in the final five-and-a-half minutes. Makenzi Laporte hit a 3-pointer for the Wildcats with one minute remaining, but it was far too little and far too late, as the Cougars cruised to the 62-52 victory.
The Wildcats wrap up their Southern California road trip Saturday, when they go head-to-head with the Golden Eagles of Cal State LA (16-6, 13-4 CCAA). Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
