Cal State Stanislaus handed the Chico State men's basketball team its only loss of the season on Nov. 16 in Turlock. What a difference a month can make.
The Wildcats avenged that loss with their sixth win in a row since, smashing the Warriors 88-67 behind Rashad Parker's career high 31 points Friday night at Acker Gym.
Chico State was outrebounded by 11 and outscored at the free throw line by eight in its loss in Turlock, but completely turned the tables. The Wildcats dominated the glass 30-21 led by Jordan Semple's season-high 13 boards and hit 29-of-34 free throws, outscoring the Warriors by 18 from the stripe.
Chico State pushed its program-record home win streak to 14, improving to 7-1 overall and 3-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State Stanislaus fell to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in the CCAA with its second straight loss.
Parker was 10-of-11 from the line, 5-of-8 from 3-point range and 8-of-13 from the floor. He also contributed four rebounds, two assists and a career-best two blocked shots. Sean Park scored all 14 of his points in the second half, hitting 7-of-8 from the line. Amir Carraway finished with 14 points. Semple had 13 points, two blocks, two steals and two assists to go along with his 13 boards.
A combined 44 fouls were called forcing both teams to deal with foul trouble. But the Wildcats dealt with it much better.
Starting point guard Giordano Estrada logged just 23 minutes after collecting his third foul early in the second half. But the Wildcats didn't miss a beat with backup Mike Rosaroso on the floor. The junior contributed six points, three rebounds and a pair of assists in 17 minutes and the Wildcats outscored the Warriors 26-17 with Rosaroso running the team.
Meanwhile, Cal State Stanislaus' Marcus Bell, who bullied the Wildcats for 28 points and 14 rebounds in the first meeting between the teams, fouled out in just 18 minutes. He finished with 14 points and three rebounds.
Cal State Stanislaus score the game's first five points but it was all Chico State after that. Parker scored eight points and assisted on Carraway's triple during an 11-0 run that gave the Wildcats the lead for good.
Parker and Carraway combined for 25 first-half points and the Wildcats went to the break leading 36-26.
Cal State Stanislaus cut the lead to four on two occasions early in the second half and trailed 42-38 with 17 minutes to play. But Rosaroso responded with a steal and two assists and Park and Parker each knocked down threes to key a 10-3 run that pushed the lead back to double-digits. A 9-0 run a few minutes later stretched the edge to 69-51 and the Wildcats rolled from there.
Chico State has three weeks to prepare for its next game. And it's a big one. The Wildcats will travel to take on CCAA leader and conference preseason favorite Cal State San Bernardino on Friday, Jan. 3. They'll play at UC San Diego the following night before returning home to play 10 of their final 16 regular season games at Acker Gym.
