Sing along if you like to the old Beatles tune “Let it be.”… Let it three. Let it three. Let it three. Let it three. Strokin’ it from the cheap seats. Let it three.
The members of the Chico State men’s basketball team are certainly singing after capping a weekend in which they jumped from seventh place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) to third with a 66-56 win against UC San Diego Saturday night at Acker Gym.
They did it with the three ball, netting 11-of-20 shots from distance, which accounted for half of their points. Jay Flores flushed all three of his 3-point attempts during a second half in which he scored all 17 of his points. Damario Sims was 4-of-7 from downtown on the way to 16 points, his most since Dec. 3. Jordan Semple came off the bench to stick 2-of-4 threes and finished with nine points, seven rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. And
Amir Carraway hit 2-of-5 from beyond the arc en route to 13 points.
Chico State improved to 11-3 overall – it’s best start since the 1942-43 team also won 11 of its first 14 – and 5-3 in the CCAA. The Wildcats also made some history with their seventh straight home win to start the season. That hasn’t been accomplished since 1997-98 when the Wildcats started 9-0.
UC San Diego fell to 5-8 overall and 1-7 in the CCAA. Justin Brue led the Tritons with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Christian Hatch chipped in 12 and six.
The Tritons momentarily took control of the contest in the latter part of the second half, using a 15-0 run to turn a 26-16 deficit into a 31-26 lead.
Chico State Head Coach Greg Clink was unsatisfied and let it be know by benching point guard Flores (no points, rebounds or assists in 12 first-half minutes) with a message along the lines of: “Start thinking about what you’re going to do differently in the second half.”
While he was pondering, sub Spencer Moyer motored down the floor and delivered a no-look dish to Semple for a 25-foot 3-pointer at the halftime buzzer that cut UC San Diego’s lead to 31-30.
After Flores mulled things over some more in the locker room, he came out and commanded the second stanza. The senior snagged a steal 15 seconds in and dished to Jason Conrad for a dunk 18 seconds later to put the Wildcats ahead. His consecutive 3-pointers six minutes later put them ahead to stay.
UC San Diego stayed close and was within four with 1:52 remaining. But Flores found Jordan Barton for an inside bucket and then made six straight free
throws in the final 32 seconds to seal the win.
Oh yeah, and Flores also helped limit starting UC San Diego guards James McCann and Tyler McGrath to a combined 3-of-15 shooting. He may have even been humming the tune “I wanna hold your hand” while shadowing their every step.
The Wildcats are now tied with Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State Stanislaus for third place in the CCAA standings, two games behind leader Cal Poly Pomona and a game behind Cal State San Bernardino. Ironically, Cal State Dominguez Hills will be in town Friday night and Cal State L.A. Saturday.
Tipoff for both games is scheduled for 7:30. Be there, and be ready to sing!
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