CHICO STUNS HUMBOLDT IN ARCATA
They kept climbing back from double-digit deficits, but the Chico State women would be throttled by a Lady Lumberjack three........until they weren't.
The Chico State women closed the game on a 9-0 run over the final couple of minutes to pull out a thrilling 70-67 win over Humboldt State. With the win the Cats have now won a season high five straight, their longest win streak of the season, and can secure a home playoff game with a win over Stanislaus on Saturday night.
Chico trailed by 17 early in the 2nd quarter and it looked like it might be a joyous Senior Night for the Lumberjacks. But the Cats kept chipping away to keep the game close. Chico trailed by 14 early in the third quarter but by the end of the third had whittled the deficit to five.
It looked like Humboldt was in control leading 65-57 with 3:45 to go but Chico would grind their way back into it. A Haley Ison offensive rebound and put-back cut the deficit to six and then Ison would hit a turn-around jumper from the baseline to cut the Jacks lead to 65-61 with 2:53 to play. After a couple of Alexia Thrower free throws gave Humboldt a 67-61 lead with 2:25 to go, the Cats would close the game on a 9-0 run.
Ison would hit another jumper with 2:09 to go to make it 67-63. Hannah Washington would follow with a scoop shot in the lane with 1:25 left. The ensuing Chico possession would be the memorable moment of the night. With the shot clock running down Daisha Abdelkader would steal the ball, push into the forecourt, kick it to Hannah Washington who found Arcata-native Vanessa Holland camping out in three point land. Holland would hit the biggest shot of her Chico State career a three pointer to give Chico a 68-67 with 52 seconds left.
Chico would bury two free throws after a Humboldt miss and then the Jacks would miss a couple of jumpers in the waning seconds setting off a wild Chico State celebration. For Chico it was a season sweep of their long-time rivals and sets the stage for a big showdown Saturday night in Turlock with a home playoff game hanging in the balance.
WILDCAT MEN CRUISE TO 21st WIN
The Chico State men's basketball team used a 35-13 1st half surge over an 11-minute stretch to put this game away early. Chico came to Arcata looking to sweep the season series from a Lumberjack team that has struggled for much of the season.
With the Lumberjack seniors being honored before the game, Chico wanted to leave no doubt and their 1st half shot making would put this one out of reach as Chico rolled to an 86-57 win.
Chico was led by Kevin Warren with 15 points and 7 boards. Justin Briggs had 14 & 8 while Malik Duffy had 13 & 5. Chico shot 47 percent from field and was 11-of-26 from downtown while dominating the boards, out-rebounding the Jacks 44-30.
Chico looks to avenge an early season loss against Stanislaus State on Saturday notch win number 22 on the season. Chico will play a 1st Round CCAA playoff game at home next Tuesday. The Cats could finish as high as second in the conference but will not finish lower than fourth. The Cats were recently ranked 4th in the latest NCAA West Region rankings with the top-eight teams getting an invite to the NCAA Tournament on March 8th.
*PHOTO COURTESY OF CHICO STATE ATHLETICS*
