SEASIDE, Calif. — Appearing to feel the after effects of Friday's draining overtime victory against Cal State Stanislaus, the Cal State Monterey Bay women's basketball team hit the proverbial wall midway through the first half of Saturday's encounter with Chico State. The Wildcats took full advantage, opening a 13–point lead and never letting it go en route to a 68–53 win in The Kelp Bed.

The Otters got a game–high 21 points from senior guard Jenna Bandy (Thousand Oaks HS), who just missed her second career double–double by adding eight rebounds. Sophomore forward McKenna Hill (Ventura/St. Bonaventure HS) added a career–high 14 rebounds.

The fatigue showed itself in a big way on the defensive end of the floor, where Chico worked for a plethora of open looks. Annie Ward was the main beneficiary, knocking down five often uncontested 3–pointers as part of her season–high 19 points. Brooke Bowen matched Ward's total, though hers was a career best.

The Otters scored the first five points and led for the first four minutes before Chico found its sea legs. Ward's first trey broke an 11–11 tie and gave the Wildcats the lead for the duration.

A Bandy traditional 3–point play got the Otters back to within two points for the last time at 17–15. The Wildcats responded with a 10–2 run put Chico in control for the duration.

The Otters hit the road for the first of two Southern California roadtrips in the final month of the regular season. They play at Cal Poly Pomona Jan. 30 and at UC San Diego on Jan. 31.