SAN BERNARDINO – It's only one game in the month of March and the Chico State women's basketball team could feel the madness.
The Wildcats got off to a hot start in the first quarter and led by as many as 27 near the end of the third quarter. But Cal Poly Pomona began a huge rally in the fourth quarter in which the Broncos shrank that lead to six. Time was in the Wildcats' favor as they survived an 80-74 win in the CCAA Tournament semifinal at Coussoulis Arena Friday afternoon.
Chico State (21-8) advanced to the conference tournament final for the first time since 2010. The Wildcats will play CCAA champions Cal State San Marcos Saturday at 5 p.m. The Cougars rallied from a deficit and beat Cal State LA in overtime in the other side of the bracket. Though both teams appear to be in the good shape as far as the NCAA West Regional bracketology goes, the winner of the tournament championship game will be guaranteed a spot into NCAA Regionals beginning next week.
After shooting only 23.9 percent in their last visit to Coussoulis Arena last month, the Wildcats looked much different in their second trip to Cal State San Bernardino's floor, shooting 54.7 percent (29-for-53) while hitting 12 from 3-point range.
Jordan Allred and Brandy Huffhines each had 17 points, Makenzi Laporte had all her 15 points in the first half and Zhane Duckett had 11 points to go along with four steals.
The Wildcats won the opening tip and would jump ahead 12-0 within the first four minutes. Cal Poly Pomona (20-9) got its first bucket shortly after and got to within six about a minute later. Chico State got on a short run to take a 28-13 lead into the second period.
While Laporte led the scoring effort in the second period with seven points, it was all Stella Rollo and Ashleigh Barr that came up clutch on the glass as each grabbed three of Chico's 11 rebounds.
Chico State would take a 45-25 lead into halftime.
The third period saw the Wildcats continue the momentum. Allred and Huffhines combined for 13 points in the quarter.
Cal Poly Pomona, who were without one of its key players in Kalaya Buggs after she injured herself in the first quarter, played with desperation and intensity in the fourth quarter. In addition to outscoring the 'Cats 33-15, the Broncos forced six costly turnovers and generated 11 points off the miscues. The Wildcats were without a field goal for most of the period and relied on free throws near the end. For the final 4:30 of the game, the Wildcats were limited to one field goal on two attempts but made five critical free throws to keep the lead.
