Box Score SAN FRANCISCO – The Chico State men's basketball team knew that it would have to deliver one of its best defensive efforts of the season to compete with San Francisco State, which came into Friday's contest averaging 87 points a contest. The mission was empathically accomplished, as the Wildcats held the Gators to just 35 percent shooting and just six field goals in the pivotal second half to earn an impressive 67-50 victory at The Swamp in San Francisco. It marked the 'Cats first conference win and fourth straight victory.
Friday's win improved Chico State's season record to 5-1 and 1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). San Francisco State slipped to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in CCAA play.
Giordano Estrada led four Wildcat scorers in double figures, posting all of his 15 points in the second half. Amir Carraway poured in 14 points, and his two 3-pointers on the evening made him just the 12th player in Chico State history with 100 career treys. Jordan Barton added 11 points, while Jordan Semple delivered a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
The Wildcats got off to a bit of a slow start, as San Francisco State built an early 10-4 lead. The Gators were still up 17-12 when Chico State took advantage of several San Francisco State turnovers to reel off eight straight points – two layups from Rashad Parker and buckets by Barton and Carraway – to take a 20-17 lead. The Gators quickly cut the deficit to one, but three baskets by Semple and a 3-pointer from Mike Rosaroso fueled an 11-4 Wildcat run to make the score 31-23. San Francisco State pulled to within four late in the period, but two last-second free throws by Carraway gave the 'Cats a 33-27 halftime advantage.
Chico State immediately pushed its lead to double digits, opening the second half with jumpers by Parker and Sean Park to go up 37-27. The Wildcats' defense held San Francisco State to just one field goal in the period's first 10-and-a-half minutes, and on the strength of 3-pointers by Carraway and Estrada the 'Cats stretched their advantage to 45-31. San Francisco State crept to within 11, but layups by Estrada and Semple and a 3-point play by Barton highlighted a 9-3 run to give the 'Cats a seemingly comfortable 57-40 lead.
The Gators made one last attempt to rally, scoring five unanswered points to pull to within 12 with six minutes to play. Chico State left it to Estrada to officially put the game away, connecting on two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws to push the lead to 20, and the Wildcats went on to win going away, 67-50.
The Chico State men's basketball team takes on Sonoma State (1-4, 0-1 CCAA) in another CCAA conference clash beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Wolves' Den in Rohnert Park. Mike Baca will provide the play-by-play locally on Newstalk 1290 AM KPAY and online through the Wildcat Athletics website (
www.chicowildcats.com). Live Stats and streaming video are also available online.
