Box Score HAYWARD – Jordan Semple’s game-winning jump shot in the lane with 1.9 seconds left completed a 12-0 run over the final 3:50, leading to an understandably jubilant scene in the visiting Chico State locker room Thursday night in Hayward.

But the screams of elation following the Wildcats’ 67-66 win against Cal State East Bay quickly yielded to the scolding of Head Coach Greg Clink.

“The locker room, in all its exuberance, got real quiet just a minute ago,” Clink told Mike Baca of AM 1290 KPAY during an impassioned postgame show speech. “Our defensive effort was a major disappointment in my eyes. The way we played the last four minutes was the way we should have played all night. Obviously I’m relieved to walk out of here with a win, but it’s a win we didn’t necessarily deserve.

“I’m chasing excellence,” Clink interrupted Baca’s thoughts on chasing an NCAA Tournament berth. “I want to play well every night. We slipped tonight because we thought we could walk in here, roll the ball out, and win by 15. The immaturity of our group showed up tonight. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that we walk into the gym at Monterey Bay tomorrow night foaming at the mouth.”

Clink might choose to use Semple as an example. The sophomore set or matched career standards with 20 points, 14 rebounds and three steals while also blocking two shots as the Wildcats won their Clink-era best sixth straight to improve to 16-9 overall and 13-8 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).

Chico State is now a win away – in its regular season finale at Cal State Monterey Bay Friday night – from earning a home game in the CCAA Championship Tournament’s first round on Tuesday.

The Wildcats’ NCAA Championship Tournament outlook may have brightened a bit as well. They entered the evening ranked No. 10 in the West, and while the Wildcats were winning, No. 8 San Francisco State and No. 9 Alaska Anchorage each lost.

It was nearly all for naught, however.

The Wildcats were outscored 16-1 to start the second half and trailed by as many as many as 13 after the break.

Cal State East Bay’s lead was 66-55 when Semple was fouled and went to the line with 3:50 to play. He made the first, and after missing the second, grabbed one of his nine offensive rebounds to set up Amir Carraway’s jumper.

The comeback was on.

Damario Sims sank a jump shot with 3:08 to play, making it a six-point game, before Semple blocked a shot, corralled the rebound and then made a jumper to cut the deficit to four with 1:41 remaining.

Rashad Parker snared a steal and Sims stuck a 3-pointer with 1:17 left to make it a one-point game.
Chico State forced Gabe Kindred into a contested shot with 31 seconds left and shockingly, the Wildcats (who had trailed by 11 just 209 seconds before) had the ball with a chance to win.

Carraway’s 3-point try with 17 seconds left was off the mark, but Semple snagged the rebound and the Wildcats called timeout. The ball was in Semple’s hands throughout the final possession. He backed down his defender and then shot a fadeaway jumper from just inside the lane. It bounced off the front rim, the back, and then hung on the front again for an instant before falling home with 1.9 seconds left.

Cal State East Bay failed to get off a shot before the buzzer sounded and the Wildcats had their longest winning streak since the 2004-05 season.

Sims finished with 10 points and Park and Carraway contributed eight apiece.

The Wildcats have now won four straight against Cal State East Bay and seven of eight since the Pioneers joined the CCAA.

The first half featured seven ties and six lead changes. But the Wildcats grabbed the lead with a 7-0 run, sparked by Spencer Moyer’s two free throws, his hustle play that helped lead to Parker’s 3-pointer, and his assist on Semple’s jumper.

The Wildcats took a 37-35 lead to the half. But soon after, they trailed by double figures.

The Wildcats missed their first six shots of the half while committing four turnovers during that same stretch. Semple finally stopped the surge with a three-point play with 14:32 left. They were 5-of-22 with eight turnovers in the second stanza before shooting 5-for-7 with no giveaways during their 12-0 run.

The Wildcats, now tied for third place in the CCAA standings with San Francisco State, will tip tomorrow night at Cal State Monterey Bay at approximately 7:30. A win would guarantee the ’Cats no worse than the No. 4 seed in the CCAA Championship Tournament. If they lose, however, the only way they would host a first-round game is if Cal State Dominguez Hills loses as well.

Chico State trailed 66-55 following Jurrell Turner’s layup with 4:33 remaining. Here’s how the Wildcats found a way at Cal State East Bay:

Clock	Points	Score
3:50	Semple free throw	56-66
3:33	Carraway jumper	58-66
3:08	Sims jumper	60-66
1:41	Semple jumper	62-66
1:17	Sims 3-pointer	65-66
0:01.9	Semple jumper	67-66