Chico State Athletics

A new career-high in scoring can make any basketball player's week. Drew Kitchens did it twice in four days. Kitchens, whose previous career-high was 14, scored 15 points in the Wildcats' 84-69 win at Stanislaus State Wednesday and then pumped in a team-high 18 in their thrilling 83-82 win against Cal State San Marcos Saturday to earn Wildcat of the Week honors.
 
Kitchens missed the Wildcats' season opener with a lower leg injury and struggled with his shot upon his return to the court. But since the start of December, the senior from Carlsbad has connected on 9-of-17 three-point attempts. He hit 3-of-5 against Stanislaus State and two-of-two against Cal State San Marcos and is now just 27 shy of becoming the 14^th player in the program's history with 100 made 3-pointers.
 
Kitchens was scoring from outside and inside on Saturday. He hit 8-of-10 shots overall and scored 12 in the first 12 minutes of the second half before fouling out. He also contributed two rebounds, an assist and a steal.
 
Wednesday, Kitchens scored seven minutes in the final seven-plus minutes of the first half as Chico State turned a 21-7 deficit into a 32-30 lead. His free throws just before the break gave Chico State the lead for good.
 
Kitchens and the 17^th-ranked Wildcats will be on the road Saturday to face rival Sonoma State before returning home for a New Years Even matinee against Cal State L.A. at 3 p.m.