SEASIDE, Calif. — Depending on one's perspective, it was either a slow or a fast start that led to Chico State's 77–53 women's basketball victory over Cal State Monterey Bay Friday night in Acker Gym.

From the Otter point of view, slow was the operative word as they scored just seven points in the first quarter and just 17 points in the first half. Chico, on the other hand, raced to a 23–7 lead after one quarter and never let CSUMB closer than 17 points over the final three periods.

Christine Golfo (Logan HS/San Jose CC) came off the bench to lead the Otters with 12 points. Aubri Smith (Ventura College) also came off the bench to chip in 11 while Courtney Keaton (Bishop Montgomery HS) led both teams with eight rebounds.
 

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THE GAME WAS STATISTICALLY OVER WHEN… Whitney Branham's second-chance jumper made it 66–42 Chico with 5:15 remaining.

TURNOVER IS FAIR PLAY… The Otter offense turned the ball over 20 times Friday at Chico, but the defense made its presence felt by forcing 20 Wildcat turnovers as well.

KEATON KEEPS CLEANING… Courtney Keaton (8 rebounds) led the Otters in rebounding for the 19th time in 22 games this season. She now has 464 career rebounds and needs nine more to tie Dana Andrews (2006–09) for No. 4 on the Otter career list.

MORE KEATON ON THE GLASS… With eight rebounds Friday night, Courtney Keaton vaulted from No. 7 to No. 5 on the Otter single season list, becoming the seventh player in CSUMB history to surpass 200 rebounds in a season (207). She needs three more to tie Julie Heurung (2010) for No. 4 and four more to tie Brittani Jefferson (2013) for No. 3. Johanna Mahoney set the CSUMB record of 270 rebounds in 2004.

LEADERS OF THE RAFT… POINTS: Christine Golfo 12; REBOUNDS: Courtney Keaton 8; ASSISTS: Christine Golfo/Jennifer Saelio 2; BLOCKS: Courtney Keaton 1; STEALS: Courtney Keaton/Jennifer Saelio/Aubri Smith 2.

THEY'VE GOT NEXT… The Otters head to the Northern California coast to face Humboldt State Saturday (Feb. 3). Tip-off will be at 5:30 p.m. as the opener of men's/women's doubleheader action.