SAN BERNARDINO — The Chico State women’s basketball team advanced to the California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament championship game, after the No. 2 seed Wildcats defeated No. 3 Cal Poly Pomona 80-74 Friday at Coussoulis Arena in San Bernardino.
Friday’s game was the rubber match between the two teams, who split the two-game regular season series. Each won on the road during the regular season, and Friday’s game was at a neutral site.
Chico led 28-13 after the first quarter, jumping out to a 12-0 run to start the game. At halftime the Wildcats led 45-25, and 65-41 after three quarters. Pomona outscored Chico 33-15 in the fourth quarter, as the Broncos shot 61.9% and 80% on 3-pointers, while out-rebounding the Wildcats 12-5.
In total, Chico State outshot Pomona 54.7% to 44.4%, 52.2% to 33.3% on 3-pointers and 76.9% to 40% from the free-throw line. Chico’s largest lead came with 1:12 left in the third quarter, when it led by 27 points. Pomona never led throughout.
Chico struggled taking care of the ball, committing 22 turnovers while forcing 16.
The two Chico State second-team All CCAA selections, Jordan Allred and Brandy Huffhines, led the Wildcats with 17 points each. Fellow second-team All CCAA selection Makenzi Laporte had 15 points and five rebounds, and first-team All CCAA selection Zhane Duckett had 11 points.
Duckett, the CCAA Defensive Player of the Year, had a team-high four steals, and Laporte had three steals. Stella Rollo led Chico with six rebounds.
Friday’s win ensures the Wildcats of a berth to the NCAA West Regionals, which will be played March 15-18.
Chico State (21-8) will play the winner of No. 1 seed Cal State San Marcos and No. 4 Cal State LA, who tip off in the CCAA semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Friday. The championship game will be played at 5 p.m. Saturday.
