Chico State Athletics

Things can get rough for a freshman trying to find his way in the CCAA, but over the last two games one thing has become clear: Jordan Barton belongs. The Chico State freshman played a brilliant second half in last Thursday's win against Pacifica and put together the best game of his young career to help lead the Wildcats to a 63-59 win against Cal State Stanislaus Monday night to earn Wildcat of the Week honors.

Over his last 26 minutes on the court, the 6-foot-6 product of Bishop O'Dowd High School has heaped totals of 17 points and seven rebounds. Barton scored seven points and grabbed two boards in the second half as the Wildcats turned a one-point deficit into a 67-49 win at Pacifica. Then, Monday night, Barton bumped with CCAA scoring leader Reggie Jones for 13 minutes in the second half as the Wildcats turn a four-point deficit into a four-point win. He finished the half with eight points and two rebounds while helping force Jones into four turnover and helping to limit him to nine points on four-of-nine shooting.

Barton finished the game with 10 points and five rebounds in a career-high 19 minutes.

If he keeps playing this way, that won't be his career high for minutes for long.

Barton and the Wildcats host Cal State San Bernardino Friday and UC San Diego Saturday.