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SEATTLE -- Melissa Richardson scored 21 points on Saturday night, and Chico State went on an 18-3 run to wipe out a 12-point second-half deficit and defeat Humboldt State 86-76 in the NCAA Division II women's basketball West Regional semifinals at Brougham Pavilion.

The Wildcats (23-9), who were routed 85-55 by Humboldt in last week's California Collegiate Athletic Association tournament advanced to Monday night's regional championship game. They will face either Seattle Pacific or Alaska Anchorage, who were playing the second semifinal later Saturday.

Christine Vest and Natasha Smith added 15 points apiece for Chico State, and Synchro Bull had 14.

Humboldt State (20-11) was led by the 28 points of Andrea Bobic. Brittney Taylor chipped in 14.

The Lumberjacks, down 37-36 at halftime, surged in front early in the second half and stretched their lead all the way to 62-50 with about nine minutes left to play.

But the Wildcats gradually worked their way back in, climbing into a 62-62 tie on a pair of free throws by Smith with eight minutes left. A lay-in by Vest snapped a 74-74 tie and put Chico State back in front for good at 76-74 with 3:05 remaining.

The back-and-forth game had 11 ties and 20 lead changes.

Chico State had a 43-32 advantage on the boards, led by Smith's eight. Bobic had nine rebounds for Humboldt State.

The Wildcats shot 46.2 percent for the game (30 of 65), and Humboldt State hit 43.9 percent (29 of 66).


NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament
West Regional Semifinal
Brougham Pavilion/Seattle, Wash.
Saturday, March 13, 2010

Chico State 86, Humboldt State 76

HUMBOLDT STATE (20-11)
Halsey 2-5 0-0 4; Peterson 4-9 0-0 9; Taylor 4-9 6-12 14; Osborne 2-7 0-0 5; Bobic 11-23 3-5 28; Huffman 3-3 2-2 8; Williams 2-5 0-0 5; Petty 1-5 0-0 3; Howard 0-0 0-0 0; Richards 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-66 11-19 76.

CHICO STATE (23-9)
Richardson 7-13 2-2 21; Vest 6-9 3-4 15; Ferrall 2-3 0-0 4; Bull 6-16 1-2 14; Smith 4-12 6-6 15; Harrison 2-4 4-4 9; Lydon 2-4 0-0 6; Miller 1-1 0-0 2; Marquardt 0-3 0-0 0. Totals 30-65 16-18 86.

Humboldt State................ 36   40 - 76
Chico State...................... 37  49 - 86

3-point goals--HSU 7-24 (Bobic 3-10; Williams 1-2; Petty 1-4; Osborne 1-5; Peterson 1-2; Taylor 0-1), CSU 10-17 (Richardson 5-6; Lydon 2-4; Harrison 1-2; Bull 1-2; Smith 1-3). Fouled
out--HSU-None, CSU-None. Rebounds--HSU 32 (Bobic 9), CSU 43 (Smith 8). Assists--HSU 18 (Peterson 5), CSU 23 (Smith 10). Total fouls--HSU 17, CSU 17. Technical fouls--HSU-None, CSU-None. Att.-238.