Box Score EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Fittingly, there were more smiles than tears.
The string ran out on the Chico State men's basketball team's greatest season ever in an 85-70 loss to South Carolina Aiken at the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Elite Eight at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. But seniors Amir Carraway and Rashad Parker did more laughing than crying at the postgame press conference. They recognize their legacy and those of fellow seniors Giordano Estrada, Sean Park and Nate Appel. Appropriately, they are proud young men.
The Wildcats finished the season with a school-record 25 wins and won more NCAA Tournament games this season than the
program had in its 98 years prior, capturing the program's first West Region title in the process.
"Those guys are the senior leaders on the greatest Chico State basketball team that has ever taken the floor," said Chico State Head Coach Greg Clink of his four soon-to-be graduates.
Parker made it clear how he expects to be remembered, and Carraway agreed.
"The greatest recruiting class in Chico State history," Parker said with a playful grin. "No doubt."
"No doubt," echoed Carraway, and the two shared a laugh.
Unfortunately for the Wildcats, USC-Aiken's Alvin Brown was no joke.
Much like the tornado watches and thunderstorms in the Chico area Wednesday evening, Brown loomed over the Wildcats. The nation's leader in blocked shots sent away eight on the night. He changed a lot more than that.
"We haven't faced a shot blocker like that all season," said Chico State junior Jordan Semple, who led the team with 22 points and a career high 15 rebounds.
Semple helped keep the Wildcats in the game with 13 first-half points. His layup with 7:06 to play had the Wildcats within seven.
USC-Aiken scored the next eight points to put the game away.
Carraway capped his career with 18 points. Parker and Estrada scored 11 apiece.
"It's surreal right now to think I'm done playing as a Chico State athlete," said Carraway. "I'm just happy to have been part of this
team."
"Although it sucks to lose we have a lot to be proud of," said Parker.
Ronald Zimmerman scored 33 points to pace the Pacers, who improved to 33-3 and have won 28 of their last 29 games. He was 7-of-11 from the field, 6-of-9 from 3-point range and 13-of-18 from the free throw line. Brown finished with 11 points, six rebounds and two steals to go along with his eight blocks.
But not even Brown can take away the strands of string the Wildcats cut down after winning the West Region title nearly two weeks ago. They would do well to keep those nets in mind: Miniature nylon strands are woven together to create a net made strong because of the sum of its parts.
That is the definition of this Chico State team, which shares a unique bond that will be celebrated in the coming weeks and for decades to come. They've woven their way into each other's hearts and the hearts of the fans that have followed them with pride and joy.
They are the first in 99 years of Chico State men's basketball to reach the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight. Their 25 wins match most in the program's history. The names Carraway, Park, Parker and Estrada are woven throughout the program's record books. Together with Nate Appel, Mike Rosaroso, Jordan Barton and Semple, they were part of the Wildcats' first California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) title in 2012 and have led the team to three NCAA Tournaments and 69 wins over the past three seasons – the most in any three-year run in school history.
It's been a run, and a season, that will never be forgotten.
