Coming off of two losses the Wildcats were looking to defend their home court on Thursday night. Squaring off against the 9-13 Cal State San Bernadino Coyotes seemed like the perfect slump buster. However, just like their contest in January, the Coyotes emerged with the victory.

An 11-2 start by the Wildcats was not the ideal way to set a winning mood to start the game. A Natalie Valenzuela three and shots made by Mikaila Wegenke and Hannah Washington assured Chico State stayed close to the Coyotes going into the second period at 13-9.

The tone changed in the second period; a 10-4 run by the Wildcats, led by Vanessa Holland’s seven points in the period. Highlighted by a three-pointer by Holland, that tied the game up for Chico State, had the Wildcats up 25-23 in the second period.

Vanessa Holland ties the game for the Wildcats with a three! Score now 21-21 in the second period. @theorion_sports #TheOrion #chicostatebasketball pic.twitter.com/Xc9kuTG12m

— Ricardo Tovar (@rtovarg13) February 15, 2019

“We stay calm, do what we do and we know not to panic,” Holland said. “We just play our game and we don’t change for anyone. Eventually, we started knocking down shots and we knew that would happen.”

The Wildcats maintained their lead and went into the half up 32-28.

Chico State never surrendered the lead in the third period, taking a nine-point lead at one point. They would not be safe as the Coyotes’ Jasmine Sauser was unguardable, eventually finishing with a career-high 36 points on the night, and thus the score was 52-47 going into the fourth.

The fourth period was when things fell apart for the Wildcats. Scoring only 10 points allowed the Cayotes to catch up and trim the Wildcats lead to two with two minutes left in the game.

Madison Wong putting the moves in San Bernardino! Score is now 60-56, Wildcats in the lead. Four minutes are left in the the game. @theorion_sports #TheOrion pic.twitter.com/Jqd8BLhNbF

— Ricardo Tovar (@rtovarg13) February 15, 2019

With less than a minute left to go in regulation, Madison Wong had the ball stolen and the score was tied with 38 seconds on the clock. Both teams had opportunities to take the lead, but ultimately the game headed to overtime.

Holland, who was clutch all game, came up big again and gave the Wildcats’ a 70-68 lead with 22 seconds left in overtime off a three-point play. San Bernardino’s Kayla Bibb tied the game and forced a second overtime.

Vanessa Holland comes up clutch again for the Wildcats. Down one with 17 seconds left in the game she scores to bring Chico State up 70-68. @theorion_sports #TheOrion pic.twitter.com/tWk1ka99h0

— Ricardo Tovar (@rtovarg13) February 15, 2019

In the second overtime, the Coyotes’ Sauser took over with three straight three-pointers. This put the game away for the Coyotes, after a grueling six-period war. The final score was an 87-76 loss for the Wildcats.

“It was a tough loss, we fought really hard,” said forward, McKena Barker. “You don’t often get into double overtime. We came up short tonight, but I think there are a lot of good things that we can take from this game. We just have to keep moving forward, gotta keep pushing and not let the outcome get us too down.”

The Wildcats next game is Saturday, Feb. 16 against Cal Poly Pamona. This game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start at Acker Gymnasium.

Ricardo Tovar can be reached at [email protected] or @rtovarg13 on Twitter.