The voice of Chico State athletics on KPAY Radio, Mike Baca, likes to say that Chico State redshirt freshman men's basketball player Joshua Hamilton: "Makes things happen." Hamilton lived up to that billing last week to earn Wildcat of the Week honors. In a combined 48 minutes of play, Hamilton stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, six rebounds, six steals, and five assists.
Hamilton had his best game as a Wildcat in Thursday's 81-73 victory at 4th-ranked UC San Diego Thursday night, racking up 15 points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal in 24 minutes of action. Aggressively attacking the Tritons' defense, the product of Central Catholic High School in Modesto made 6-of-7 shots, drew four fouls, knocked down 2-of-3 free throw attempts, and buried his lone 3-point try of the night on his way to a career-best in scoring.
In Saturday's 69-67 loss to Cal Poly Pomona, Hamilton had five points, career highs of five steals and four assists, and three rebounds. The Wildcats trailed 67-51 with 4:10 to play. Just 1:35 later, the lead was down to two, and Hamilton had a hand in all five Chico State baskets during the run. He grabbed an offensive rebound and kicked out to Malik Duffy for a 3-pointer. He grabbed a steal and assisted on Calvin Geraci's 3-point play. He swiped another steal leading to Kevin Warren's transition triple. He buried a 3-pointer. And then he notched another steal and assisted on another Warren basket in transition.
Hamilton and the Wildcats are back in action Thursday, hosting Cal State Monterey Bay in Acker Gym at 7:30. Saturday Chico State travels to Rohnert Park for a 3 p.m. tilt against Sonoma State.
