Chico State Athletics

Robert Duncan stepped out of the shadows and shined in his first two collegiate starts this weekend, earning Most Valuable Player honors at the 14th annual Sonoma State Ron Logsdon Basketball Classic.
 
The sophomore from Granite Bay averaged 15.5 points on 60-percent shooting (12-of-20) while contributing 2.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and a steal per game. Last season he saw action in just nine games and played a total of 29 minutes.
 
He started the 19th-ranked Wildcats' season-opening 104-62 win against Pacific Union, immediately grabbing the spotlight. Duncan, 6-foot-3 guard, scored a career-high 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting while chipping in four rebounds, two assists and a steal in just 20 minutes.
 
In Saturday's 74-64 win against Alaska Anchorage Duncan scored a game-high 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting and added a rebound, assists, steal and blocked shot.
 
He scored eight points in the final 3:21 after the Seawolves had shaved the lead to five with four minutes to play, helping the Wildcats pull away. Duncan hit 3s on consecutive possessions and then scored a layup with 48 seconds left that stretched the lead back to 10.
 
Chico State's fans will get their first long look at Duncan next week when the Wildcats face William Jessup in their home opener Nov. 25 and then host the Carl's Jr. Mac Martin Invitational Nov. 28-29.