ARCATA – The shots didn't want to fall for Humboldt State in the first round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament, resulting in a 62-60 loss to Chico State. The loss puts the fate of the Lumberjacks still up in the air until the regional pool is announced on Sunday.

Humboldt State drops to 19-8 overall with the defeat, while Chico State improves to 18-9, extends its winning streak to six games and moves on to the semifinals of the CCAA Championship Tournament.

"The team is heartbroken," said head coach Joddie Gleason. "We were hoping to get this one and continue on."

Three Lumberjacks scored in double-figures, led by Kayla Williams with 22 points. Bree Halsey and Patrice Saindon—who Gleason said had one of her best games in a Humboldt State jersey—also scored in double-digits, grabbing 13 and 11 points, respectively. Halsey and Lisa Petty each snagged six rebounds off the boards, followed by Kayla Williams with five boards and Caitie Richards with four. 

"It was the story of the game," said Gleason on the baskets not falling for her team. "We didn't shoot well all night. Caitie and Lisa are big scorers for us and Chico State did a good job not giving them good looks all night."

Courtney Hamilton led the Chico State attack, finishing the night with 16 points. McKenzie Dalthrop and Caressa Williams—who had to step up when the Wildcats lost their leading scoring, Synchro Bull, in the first half to injury—also finished with double figures. Dalthrop added 13 points and eight rebounds while Caressa Williams finished with 11 points. Natasha Smith picked up eight rebounds off the boards for the Wildcats.

The Jacks came out fired in the beginning of the game, scoring seven unanswered points to grab an early lead. Unsatisfied trailing, Chico State went on an eight-point run to take the lead with over 15 minutes left to play in the half.

Both teams continued to battle in the first half, changing the lead seven times with six ties and headed into halftime at 31-29 in favor of the Wildcats. Neither team had a good shooting night from beyond the arc, however, each shooting at 29 percent in the first half and below 20 percent in the second.

Chico State came out of halftime ready to play, opening with a six-point run while keeping the Jacks scoreless in the run of play until Saindon scored off a layup with 15:51 left on the clock. The Wildcats extended their lead to 10 points with 13 minutes left in the contest, putting the pressure on Humboldt State to find some points.

Finding her team in a big hole, Kayla Williams led the Jacks on a nine-point run to cut the lead to one point, scoring seven of the nine points. 

Despite shooting 38 percent from the field in the second half, the Jacks weren't ready to give up without a fight. Down the stretch, the teams exchanged leads back and forth, with neither team grabbing more than a four-point lead. With just under three minutes left to play, Humboldt State missed all five shots, giving the Wildcats the 62-60 victory.

"We composed ourselves in the second half but down the stretch our shots didn't fall," said Halsey.

The newest Regional Rankings will be released Wednesday and will not include tonight's result. Moving up in the West Region will help HSU's odds of continuing on into the postseason—which is possible after the Jacks defeated No. 1-ranked UC San Diego and Cal State San Bernardino last week. The eight teams advancing to the West Region Championships will be announced by the National Collegiate Athletic Association on Sunday.

"We are all anxious to see the rankings tomorrow," said Halsey. "I can't wait until they come out. I don't think I'll sleep tonight."

Other CCAA Championship Tournament results: No. 6 seed Cal State Los Angeles defeated No. 3 seed Cal Poly Pomona in a close 80-78 result, coming down to the last second of play. No. 2 seed Cal State Monterey Bay downed No. 7 seed Cal State East Bay in a low scoring 46-43 victory to continue on in the tournament. No. 1 seed UC San Diego blasts No. 8 seed Sonoma State 70-53, giving the No. 1-ranked Tritons a chance to win the CCAA conference tournament title in the comfort of its home court.