CHICO – The Chico State and Cal State San Marcos women's basketball teams got a similar story in their second-round matchup of the season, just at a different venue.
 
Like the first matchup in San Marcos, which Chico State won by five, the Wildcats had to hold off a reeling Cougars team in Acker Gym Thursday to secure a 77-72 win in a battle between two of the top three teams in the CCAA.
 
The win for the Wildcats erases the sour taste they had in Los Angeles last weekend, improving to 12-6 overall and 8-4 in the CCAA. While Chico State did move two games behind San Marcos, the win also kept pace with Cal Poly Pomona, which was victorious against Cal State Dominguez Hills to continue sharing second place in the standings.
 
Tied at 70 with a minute left in the game, the Cougars (13-4, 10-2 CCAA) tried to get a go-ahead 3-pointer but was missed and rebounded by Brandy Huffhines. Ashleigh Barr got the go-ahead layup with 32 seconds left. San Marcos went for another 3-point attempt that missed. The Cougars got its own rebound, but a critical travel call turned the ball back to the Wildcats.
 
It was free throws the rest of the way for Chico State, two of which were from Zhane Duckett to make it a four-point game. The Cougars got a bucket to keep the score within two. Jadence Clifton was able to make one free throw to make it a 3-point lead. San Marcos went for a game-tying three in the left corner but didn't make it to the rim and was caught by Makenzi Laporte, who then went on to make both free throws to put the game out of reach with 0.8 seconds left.
 
It was indeed an all-around effort for the Wildcats. Duckett finished with 17 points, Laporte had 14, Jordan Allred and Clifton each had 11 while Barr scored 10.
 
Chico State finished the night shooting 49.2 percent (29-for-59) from the field while going 15-of-19 on the charity line.
 
While it was a team effort for Chico State to keep ahead, the Cougars turned to former Wildcat Charity Gallegos, who put up an incredible 28 points. The Cougars shot 37.7 percent from the field with 11 of their 23 made buckets came from Gallegos.
 
Chico State also won the rebounding column, 39-32. Duckett had nine to go along with four assists and three steals.
 
The Wildcats continue their four-game home stand Saturday with Sonoma State visiting for a 1 p.m. tip. The Seawolves come to Chico losing to Cal Poly Humboldt 63-51 in Arcata. Sonoma was victorious over Chico in their last meeting in Rohnert Park back in December.