CHICO — Chico State broke open a close game early in the second half, pulling away to a 72-57 win over Humboldt State in women's basketball action Saturday.

Leading the Wildcats' charge was Audriana Spencer, who scored 21 points, and Jade Smith Williams, with 11 points. Their efforts helped the Wildcats improve to 21-5 overall and keep their hold on first place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with a 15-3 record.

HSU received another double-double from Katie Franci, who finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for the Jacks, who fell to  14-11 overall and 10-8 in league, were Brittney Taylor, with 12 points, and Paige Peterson with 10.

Throughout the first half, the game remained tight, neither squad able to gain momentum. Chico State held the early advantage, but Taylor scored five straight points after coming off the bench, using a quick post move and free throw followed by a breakaway layup to give HSU an 11-6 lead.  Jessica Haayer added to the edge with a pull-up jumper off the glass.

The Wildcats picked up the pace, scoring on Richardson's three-pointer before a  driving layup by Natasha Smith pulled them within a basket. Spencer finally tied the game with a short jumper, then Smith-WIlliams drove the lane to give Chico State a 17-15 lead at the midway point of the period.

Chico State maintained a slim advantage for the next few minutes before Franci drove to put the Jacks back up, 20-19. The lead was short-lived, the Wildcats reclaiming it on Spencer's three-pointer from the corner and holding on for a 28-24 halftime advantage.

After scoring the first five points of the second half, Chico State maintained a seven- to nine-point lead before Taylor Kilgore found Peterson for a wide-open layin to cut it to 35-30. Kilgore trimmed it to 36-33 with a bomb from the corner before the Wildcats began to pull away.

Humboldt State returns home to end the regular seaosn this week, taking on Cal State San Bernardino on Thursday and Cal Poly Pomona on Friday.

Humboldt State vs Chico State
02/23/08 5:30 at Acker Gym - Chico, Calif.
At Acker Gym - Chico, Calif.
CHICO STATE 72, HUMBOLDT STATE 57
HUMBOLDT STATE (14-11, 10-8 CCAA)
FRANCI, Katie 6-11 2-4 14; TAYLOR, Brittney 4-9 4-6 12; PETERSON, Paige 3-7
3-4 10; OSBORNE, Luiza 2-5 2-2 8; HAAYER, Jessica 1-3 2-4 4; KILGORE, Taylor
1-10 0-0 3; ALABA, Trisha 0-3 2-2 2; HENRY, Kayla 0-3 2-2 2; ENOS, Jennifer
0-2 2-2 2; FELBAB, Melissa 0-0 0-0 0; O'KEEFE, Kristina 0-0 0-0 0. Totals
17-53 19-26 57.
CHICO STATE (22-5, 14-4 CCAA)
SPENCER, Audriana 9-17 0-0 21; SMITH-WILLIAMS, Jade 4-11 3-3 11; SMITH,
Natasha 3-10 3-5 9; RICHARDSON, Melissa 3-7 0-0 8; MONTEITH, Amanda 1-5 5-6
7; GOLDOFF, Renee 0-5 5-6 5; VEST, Christine 1-2 2-2 4; OELSNER, Sam 1-2 0-0
3; EDWARDS, Cory 1-2 0-0 2; WASHINGTON, Ashley 1-1 0-0 2; LYDON, Taylor 0-0
0-0 0; FOSTER, Brandi 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-62 18-22 72.
Humboldt State................   24   33  -   57
Chico State...................   28   44  -   72
3-point goals--Humboldt State 4-19 (OSBORNE, Luiza 2-5; KILGORE, Taylor 1-8;
PETERSON, Paige 1-2; ALABA, Trisha 0-2; ENOS, Jennifer 0-1; HAAYER, Jessica
0-1), Chico State 6-15 (SPENCER, Audriana 3-6; RICHARDSON, Melissa 2-3;
OELSNER, Sam 1-1; MONTEITH, Amanda 0-1; EDWARDS, Cory 0-1; SMITH, Natasha
0-2; SMITH-WILLIAMS, Jade 0-1). Fouled out--Humboldt State-None, Chico
State-EDWARDS, Cory. Rebounds--Humboldt State 42 (FRANCI, Katie 10), Chico
State 39 (GOLDOFF, Renee 8). Assists--Humboldt State 7 (FRANCI, Katie 2;
OSBORNE, Luiza 2), Chico State 10 (RICHARDSON, Melissa 3). Total
fouls--Humboldt State 17, Chico State 24. Technical fouls--Humboldt
State-None, Chico State-None. A-840
Chico State improves to 10-0 at home this season with 14th straight home win.
The Wildcats, ranked No. 21 in the nation and No. 2 in the West Region, upped
their lead atop the CCAA standings to a full game with just two to play in the
regular season.