CHICO — Chico State survived two Humboldt State comeback attempts, pulling out a 76-72 victory in women's basketball action Friday. Chico State improved its overall record to 6-6, moving to 2-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Humboldt State saw its overall record drop to 8-4, while falling to 3-2 in league. Leading the way for Chico State was Natasha Smith with 17 points, with Christine Vest and Nekussa Richardson also in double figures with 15 points each. Humboldt State's Brittney Taylor led all scorers with 22 points, with Katie Franci and Andrea Bobic each adding 11 for the Jacks. Jennifer Enos contributed 10 points, hitting 3-of-4 from the three-point range.

"We have to remember that we still have a long season ahead of us," Humboldt State head women's basketball coach Joddie Gleason said. "This game wont make or break us. We need to bounce back and play better defensively."

HSU twice battled back from deficits, including a late run that pulled HSU within two points on a pair of Taylor's free throws. But a pair of free throws by Sam Oelsner with 11.3 seconds remaining increased the Wildcats' lead to its final margin.

Nothing would work for the Lumberjacks in the game's opening minutes, turnovers and missed shots resulting from the majority of their possessions. Gleason employed a variety of lineups in an effort to get the Jacks going, but the efforts were fruitless.

Chico State was much more successful with its own shooting touch, Smith the most accurate in helping the Wildcats build a 15-point lead. Humboldt State finally found success inside and out in the final four minutes of the first half, Taylor working for layups and Enos hitting a three-pointer that cut the lead to six points.

The Wildcats made the most of their final possession of the half when Smith drained a three-pointer to provide a nine-point cushion. Franci answered on the other end with a layup, pulling the Jacks within 37-30 at halftime.

Enos provided stability, hitting a jumper early in the second half before a Taylor Kilgore three cut it to 39-38, but the Wildcats rebuilt a five-point lead. Another three-pointer by Enos preceded two free throws by Franci, tying the score at 45-45.

Humboldt State finally moved ahead for the first time when Taylor spun for a layup at the 13:47 mark. Unable to maintain the momentum, the Jacks allowed the Wildcats to reclaim the advantage.

Once ahead again, Chico State didn't stop, moving up 68-59 on Richardson's three-pointer inside the five-minute mark.

 "We came out flat and they came out and were able to hit shots to start this game," Gleason said. "With Brittney and Katie in foul trouble and out of the game and us having so many turnovers, it was tough to overcome."

Humboldt State continues its roadtrip Saturday, traveling through the Central Valley on the way to Turlock where they'll face Cal State Stanislaus at 5:30 p.m.

Newspaper Box Score Humboldt State vs Chico State 01/09/09 5:30 p.m. at Chico, Calif. At Chico, Calif. CHICO STATE 76, HUMBOLDT STATE 72 HUMBOLDT STATE (8-4, 3-2 CCAA)TAYLOR, Brittney 8-14 6-8 22; ENOS, Jennifer 4-6 0-2 11; BOBIC, Andrea 3-7 2-2 11; FRANCI, Katie 4-12 2-3 10; PETERSON, Paige 3-10 2-2 8; KILGORE, Taylor 2-7 0-0 5; OSBORNE, Luiza 1-2 1-1 3; HALSEY, Bree 1-5 0-0 2; O'KEEFE, Kristina 0-1 0-0 0; ALABA, Trisha 0-0 0-0 0; WILLIAMS, Kayla 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 26-66 13-18 72. CHICO STATE (6-6, 2-3 CCAA) SMITH, Natasha 6-13 3-5 17; RICHARDSON, Melissa 6-10 0-1 15; VEST, Christine 7-11 1-4 15; GOLDOFF, Renee 2-6 4-4 8; EDWARDS, Cory 4-8 0-2 8; OELSNER, Sam 0-1 6-6 6; BULL, Synchro 2-6 0-0 4; LYDON, Taylor 1-1 0-0 3; THOMAS, Jasmin 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 28-57 14-22 76. Humboldt State................ 30 42 - 72 Chico State................... 37 39 - 76 3-point goals--Humboldt State 7-20 (BOBIC, Andrea 3-6; ENOS, Jennifer 3-4; KILGORE, Taylor 1-6; OSBORNE, Luiza 0-1; PETERSON, Paige 0-2; TAYLOR, Brittney 0-1), Chico State 6-15 (RICHARDSON, Melissa 3-6; SMITH, Natasha 2-6; LYDON, Taylor 1-1; EDWARDS, Cory 0-2). Fouled out--Humboldt State-FRANCI, Katie, Chico State-SMITH, Natasha. Rebounds--Humboldt State 42 (TAYLOR, Brittney 9; FRANCI, Katie 9), Chico State 34 (GOLDOFF, Renee 7). Assists--Humboldt State 12 (FRANCI, Katie 4), Chico State 20 (EDWARDS, Cory 7). Total fouls--Humboldt State 18, Chico State 17. Technical fouls--Humboldt State-TEAM, Chico State-None. A-922 Chico State improves to 36-4 all time at home against Humboldt State. They haven't lost to HSU in Chico since Dec. of 2002. Cory Edwards dished out a career-best seven assists in the win. Chico State hosts Sonoma State Saturday at 5:30.