Wildcats ride huge first half to 74-59 win over Cal State Stanislaus

CHICO – It took only the first four minutes of Tuesday night’s California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) conference opener for the Chico State women’s basketball team to settle into an offensive groove – and when they did, the Wildcats did it with authority and precision. Over the next 16 minutes the ’Cats turned a three point deficit into a 22 point halftime lead, and despite a somewhat sluggish second half, Chico State cruised to a 74-59 victory over visiting Cal State Stanislaus at Acker Gym.

The win – Chico State’s 12th straight at home dating back to last season – improved the Wildcats’ overall record to 3-0 and 1-0 in the CCAA. Cal State Stanislaus, which has not beaten Chico State at Acker Gym since 2003, fell to 1-2 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.


Molly Collins had a big night for the Wildcats, scoring 10 points and hauling in seven rebounds.
Pauline Ferrall led four Wildcats in double figures with 16 points on the night; Natasha Smith contributed 15 points, six assists and five rebounds, while Analise Riezebos poured in 15 points. Molly Collins connected for 10 points and hauled in seven rebounds; Kristen Marquardt played a big role in the Wildcats’ victory, posting single game career highs with 12 rebounds and four assists. Christin Gowan of Cal State Stanislaus led all scorers with 17 points, while Theresa Henderson chipped in with 15 points in the losing effort.

Stanislaus jumped out in front 7-4 early in the first half, but the Wildcats would use a Ferrall layup and Jazmine Miller 3-pointer to take a 9-7 lead…and Chico State would not trail for the rest of the night. With six minutes left before intermission, it was still anyone’s ballgame, but with the Wildcats on top 30-24, Chico State held the Warriors without a field goal for the rest of the half while ripping off an 18-2 run to push its advantage to 22. Smith led the charge with a pair of buckets and four free throws, while Collins converted two jumpers and pair of charity tosses during the stretch to give the Wildcats a commanding 48-26 halftime lead.

It was Cal State Stanislaus that came out firing in the second half, outscoring the Wildcats 15-5 in the first eight minutes to pull to within a dozen, but that would be as close as the Warriors would get. Layups by Marquardt and Riezebos immediately pushed Chico State’s lead back to 16, and the two buckets triggered a 12-4 Wildcat run that put them comfortably in front 65-45 with 4:16 to play. To its credit, Stanislaus continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 12 and not allowing another Chico State field goal the rest of the way, but Riezebos hit four free throws and Collins added a pair down the stretch, and the Wildcats ultimately came away with the 74-59 victory.

Stanislaus won’t have to wait long for another crack at the ’Cats – following the Thanksgiving holiday, the two will teams meet again Saturday at Fitzpatrick Arena in Turlock. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.