Conference

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Led by tournament Most Valuable Player Jade Smith-Williams, top-seed Chico State rallied from a nine-point second-half to defeat No. 2 UC San Diego 69-93 in the championship game of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Tournament Saturday evening at Coussoulis Arena in San Bernardino.

With the victory, the Wildcats (27-5) secured the CCAA’s automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. Selections and seedings for the tournament will be announced on Sunday.

Chico State trailed by seven points at 56-49 with 6:36 remaining before going on a 10-3 run and tying the score 59-59 on a three-pointer by Melissa Richardson with 3:40 remaining. Richardson gave the Wildcats their first lead of the second half on a three-point basket that made the score 62-61 with 3:01 remaining.

Over the final 3:40, Chico State out-scored UC San Diego 10-3 as the Tritons made just one field goal the remainder of the contest.

Chico State, playing without injured All-CCAA senior guard/forward Audriana Spencer, finished the game with five players in double figures. Junior center Renee Goldoff topped the Wildcats with 15 points. Christine Vest finished with 14, Natasha Smith added 12 points, while Smith-Williams and Richardson added 11 each.

Senior forward Meaghan Noud scored a game-high 21 points to lead the Tritons (24-9). Junior forward Michelle Osier added 14 points and Annette Ilg chipped in 11.

CCAA All-Tournament Team
Danae Wellander (Sonoma State)
Meaghan Noud (UC San Diego)
Michelle Osier (UC San Diego)
Jade Smith-Williams (Chico State)
Nathasha Smith (Chico State)

Most Valuable Player: Jade Smith-Williams