It is no coincidence that Tyler Harris' best weekend of basketball this season coincided with the Chico State men's basketball team's climb to the top of the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings.
Harris, our Wildcat of the Week, came off the bench to give the Wildcats a huge lift in their 77-71 win in a first-place showdown at 6th-ranked UC San Diego and their 91-79 overtime victory the following night at Cal State San Bernardino.
Harris hit 7-of-9 shots (4-of-6 threes) and 5-of-6 free throws while averaging 3.5 rebounds and a steal a game in 42 minutes of action.
Harris' strong 15 minutes on Friday – he buried both of his 3-point attempts and grabbed two rebounds – gave the coaching staff plenty of confidence Saturday when the Wildcats were struggling to match the Coyotes' quickness.
Harris responded with a career night: 17 points, five rebounds, two steals, and an assist in 27 minutes of action.
Head Coach Greg Clink played Harris for the final 15 minutes of regulation and put him in the starting lineup for overtime. The sophomore from Bakersfield rewarded that trust immediately with a 3-pointer, and the 'Cats were off and running. Harris scored seven of the Wildcats' 18 points in the extra period.
The Wildcats, now 20-3, host Cal Poly Pomona in an ESPN3 game Friday and then Humboldt State on Senior Night Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip at 7:30.
