The students are back for the spring semester and will undoubtedly provide a lift to the first-place Chico State men's basketball team, which plays six of its final 10 games at home beginning Friday and Saturday against Cal State L.A. and Saturday against Cal State Dominguez Hills, respectively. Tipoff for both games is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The Wildcats are among the conference leaders in average home attendance despite playing seven of their first eight home games during either Thanksgiving or winter break.
Now, as they make a run at the California Collegiate Athletic Association title at 12-5 overall and 9-3 in the CCAA, the Wildcats hope to have the advantage of huge crowds at Acker Gym to help take them home.
The Wildcats have won five straight, including three in a row at home behind one of the nation's top-ranked defenses and an offense that's showing signs of hitting its stride.
They opened conference play with a rare Southern California sweep of the Toros and Golden Eagles.
They beat Cal State Dominguez Hills 69-59 on Dec. 5 by winning the battle of the boards 45-27 and earning a 23-4 edge in second-chance points in the process. Jordan Semple secured a season-high 14 rebounds (one off his career high). Tanner Giddings grabbed seven and Jordan Barton five to go along with his career-high 14 points.
Mike Rosaroso scored 13, making all eight of his free throws in the final minute. Semple scored 12 and Robert Duncan 10.
One night later the Wildcats rolled Cal State L.A. 62-46. After falling behind 15-5 early the Wildcats held the Golden Eagles (2-3, 1-2 CCAA) to 31 points in the final 31 minutes. Semple scored 17 of his game-high 22 points in the second half. He also had seven rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. Duncan delivered 11 points and Corey Silverstrom eight in 13 minutes off the bench.
Barton also gave the Wildcats a big boost off the bench with five points and a game-high eight rebounds in 20 minutes.
Cal State L.A. enters the weekend 7-9 overall and 5-7 in the CCAA. Cal State Dominguez Hills is 5-13 overall and 1-11 in the CCAA but coming off its first conference win last Saturday night at Sonoma State.
The Wildcats are tied for first with Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Stanislaus. UC San Diego is a game behind. Four teams are tied for fifth at 6-6. The top six teams in the final regular season standings will advance to the CCAA Championship Tournament scheduled for March 5-7 at the Stockton Sports Arena.
