Jalen McFerren made his first collegiate start a special one. Chico State's point guard flirted with the prospect of a triple-double, finishing with 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds in the Wildcats' season-opening 92-66 win against Montana State University Billings in the opening game of the CCAA/GNAC Pioneer Challenge Friday night at Cal State East Bay.
The sophomore also had three steals. The Wildcats of the Week's point, assist and steal totals set new career standards and his seven rebounds matched his most as a collegiate.
During a first half in which the Wildcats struggled, McFerren kept them afloat. They trailed 31-19 before scoring 10 straight points to start a 37-4 push that put them in control. McFerren scored six points and had two assists during the 10-0 run that sparked it. He finished the first half with 15 points, five rebounds and five assists.
For the game, McFerren shot 4-of-8 from the field and made all 11 of his free throw attempts. He's the first Wildcat to be perfect from the line on 11 or more attempts in the Greg Clink era.
The Oakland native (Castro Valley HS) will lead the Wildcats into The Igloo Thursday where the Wildcats will take on Dominican University of California in San Rafael at 7 p.m.
