CHICO, Calif. - For the Chico State women's basketball team, their late-season resurgence after a crushing February 15 loss at Cal State East Bay will go down as one of the greatest "resets" in program history.
The Wildcats were in the middle of a great season and had already made a habit of playing brilliantly following adversity, most notably in a signature road win over Cal Poly Pomona on February 1, less than 48 hours after losing at Cal State San Bernadino. But the East Bay loss hit different. The Wildcats had scored 100 points for the first time in 18 years in a 51-point rout of the Pioneers earlier in conference play.
The bus ride from Hayward to Chico that Saturday night was not pleasant. But in the days that followed, the Wildcats regrouped, refocused, and redefined their goals. They knew they were entering must-win territory, but before they could embark on the most critical stretch of the season, they were hit with another gut punch: the NCAA's first regional rankings were released, and Chico State was somewhat shockingly left off the 10-team "under consideration" list in the loaded West region.
"We were mad at each other and mad at ourselves right after the East Bay game," said senior forward Meadow Aragon. "We took the next two days to recharge our mental batteries. For us, every low we hit we get better from, and after practice that week, I knew we'd have a great road trip down to LA."
The Wildcats chose to ignore the rankings and focus on what they could control. Their response: a gritty 73-70 victory over Cal State LA who had been ranked ahead of them, which gave them some momentum going into a daunting matchup against undefeated, nationally second-ranked Cal State Dominguez Hills.
One week after the East Bay defeat, the Wildcats pulled off one of the biggest wins in program history. They went toe to toe with the 26-0 Toros for long stretches and stunned them with a barrage of three-pointers in the final three minutes to erase a six-point deficit and win 75-71. Jadence Clifton, who hit two monumental threes in the final 1:19, was named CCAA Player of the Week for her heroics as Chico State clawed its way back onto the NCAA Tournament bubble.
Jadence Clifton reacts to a 3-point shot against
Cal State San Marcos on March 1.
(Jason Halley/University Photographer/Chico State)
Clifton acknowledged those were the two biggest shots of the many she has hit in her career. "It was a great feeling. I had the confidence (to hit those shots) because my teammates have confidence in me. One hundred percent of the credit goes to them," she said.
The Wildcats are led by their three first-team all-conference seniors. Makenzi Laporte, the team's leading scorer who this year became just the fifth player in Chico State history to surpass both 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds. Jordan Allred, whose elite shot-making, passing, rebounding, and defensive brilliance make her the Wildcats' best two-way player. And, Aragon, who battled back from last season's knee injury, reestablishing herself as a dominant force in the paint.
The "big three" are flanked by All-CCAA honorable mention Clifton, whose clutch shooting has saved numerous games throughout the year, as well as senior point guard and floor general Ciarah Michalik, who brings a fiery on-the-court personality and toughness. Meanwhile, 6'2 senior forward Ashleigh Barr comes off the bench to defend, rebound, and provide a soft touch around the rim.
Back on right side of NCAA bubble but with no margin for error, the Wildcats kept winning and closed out the season at 23-7 (17-5 in CCAA). They secured the No. 7 seed in the West region after reaching the CCAA Tournament semifinals this past weekend, where they fell to Cal Poly Pomona.
As luck would have it, they won't have to wait long to get a shot at revenge. The Wildcats drew Pomona and will face them for a fourth time this season in the quarterfinal round of the West Regional. Tipoff is set for 2:30 p.m. this Friday on the campus of Cal State Dominguez Hills.
"We know how good we are when we put all the pieces together and all 10 of us are on," said Laporte, reflecting on the 48 hours of uncertainty between the CCAA Tournament and the NCAA selection show. "We faced adversity and had to save our season more than once, and we're so excited to get another chance at Pomona."
(Every Chico State NCAA Tournament game will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 and FM 102.9 KPAY Sports Radio and streamed live at NCAA.com. Links to the NCAA tournament bracket, broadcasts, stats, schedules, and more, can be found at ChicoWildcats.com)
