[Box score]

CARSON, Calif. – No. 6 seed Central Washington outlasted No. 7 seed Chico State 79-73 in the NCAA West Regional semifinals.
 
The game came down to the final minute after Chico State fought back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to cut Central Washington's lead to two (75-73) on a Makenzie Laporte basket with just under a minute remaining.
 
Chico would get a stop on the next possession and had two chances to tie the game, but its first shot was short, and the second was blocked. CWU grabbed the rebound after the block and was fouled. Sunny Huerta sunk both free throws, extending the lead to four with 17 seconds left, and Chico would not get closer the rest of the way.
 
Makenzi Laporte led Chico State with 23 points. Jordan Allred added 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and four steals.  Ashleigh Barr came off the bench to record a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Meadow Aragon registered 12 rebounds to help Chico State outrebound Central Washington 47-36.
 
Sunny Huerta led four CWU student-athletes with 27 points. She made five 3-pointers while posting six rebounds and seven assists. Asher Cai had 19 points, and Capri Sims added a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
 
While Chico State won the rebounding battle by plus-11, it was outscored by 30 points from behind the arc as CSU made 14-of-30 from 3-point range.
 
Central Washington (23-7) will advance to play for the NCAA West Regional Championship on Monday, Mar. 17, at 7 p.m. The loss completes Chico State's season at 24-8.