POMONA, Calif. - It's early, but the Chico State men's basketball team might just be starting to turn things around. The Wildcats used another stifling defensive performance to earn their first road win of the season, 55-47 at Cal Poly Pomona Friday night. It was also Chico State's first California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) victory in three tries - all on the road.
After an 0-4 start, the Wildcats have now won four of their last six under first year Head Coach Greg Clink. They're 4-6 overall and 1-2 in the CCAA. Cal Poly Pomona, picked by CCAA coaches to finish third in the conference's preseason poll, fell to 5-3 overall and 1-2 in the CCAA.
To win, the Wildcats gave the host Broncos a taste of their own medicine. Cal Poly Pomona had won five straight against Chico State, allowing an average of 54 points per game in the process. But Friday it was the Wildcats who played suffocating defense, holding the Broncos without a field goal during a five-minute stretch midway through the first half, an eight-minute stretch just before halftime, and another five-minute stretch late in the second half.
Cal Poly's starters combined to shoot just 11-for-38, and leading scorer Larry Gordon was just 5-for-15 and finished with 11 points. As a result, the Broncos scored 20 points fewer than their season average entering the game.
Chico State, meanwhile, used only eight players, but each of them performed. Despite an off shooting night, Andy Bocian led the way with 17 points and also pulled down six rebounds. Nick Lonnegren finished with 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal, and didn't turn the ball over in 30 minutes of action. Junior Russell scored seven of his nine points during an early 12-2 run that gave Chico State the lead for good. Justin Argenal finished with three points, six rebounds, four assists, and no turnovers while playing all but one minute of the game. Zach Graves contributed four points, two assists, and three steals in just 11 minutes of action off the bench. Chris Sharp came off the bench to lead the team with seven rebounds in 20 minutes.
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday night when they face Cal State San Bernardino on the road at 7:30.
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