Box Score Damario Sims is starting to look pretty comfortable in his new role as the Chico State men’s basketball team’s point guard. Rashad Parker keeps getting cozier as a member of the starting lineup. And the Wildcats looked as comfy as they have in a very long time against rival Sonoma State in an 82-65 win Friday night in Acker Gym.
Parker set a career high in scoring for the second straight game with 17 points and partnered with Sims beautifully in the back court. Sims matched his career high with nine assists while setting a new personal standard with four steals as the Wildcats got their most lopsided win against Sonoma State since Feb. 1, 1985.
Chico State raced to a 28-9 lead and never trailed in the game. Sonoma State twice cut the advantage to eight, but it was back up to 43-29 at the half and the Wildcats led by 12 or more throughout the second stanza.
Chico State improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with its third win in a row. Sonoma State fell to 4-5 overall and 2-3 in the CCAA.
The Wildcats are now tied for fourth in the CCAA and could move into a tie for third with a win against San Francisco State Saturday night back in Acker Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30.
Sims and Parker started picking apart the Seawolves on the Wildcats’ first possession and never let up. Parker opened the scoring with a 3-pointer and then he or Sims assisted on the Wildcats’ next seven buckets as they grabbed an early 19-point lead.
They also finished the half with a flourish. After Sonoma State trimmed the lead to eight for the third time, Parker stemmed the tide with a jump shot. Sims sank a 3-pointer on the next possession, then swiped a steal on the other end and went coast-to-coast for a layup and a 15-point lead.
Sonoma State never recovered.
The Wildcats got 32 points off their bench led by Jordan Semple’s 13. Starters Amir Carraway and Sean Park poured in 10 points apiece. Chico State also outscored Sonoma State 25-7 in points off turnovers and had 16 fast-break points to the Seawolves’ two.
Sims’ sixth assist, a kick-out to Sean Park for 3 with 16:06 remaining, was the 200th of his career, making him the 12th player in Chico State history to reach that landmark. He needs just 20 more points to reach another major milestone – 1,000 points. Deon Robinson (1997-2001) is the only Wildcat with career totals eclipsing both 1,000 points and 200 assists.
