SAN FRANCISCO – Chico State men's basketball history was made Tuesday afternoon with the release of the first regular season National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Poll. The Wildcats' No. 8 ranking is the highest in the history of the program. Ironically, for the first time this season, the Wildcats didn't necessarily look the part against Academy of Art in an 81-67 win Tuesday night at Kezar Pavilion.
 
Chico State committed 23 turnovers – the team's most since Jan. 31, 2013 – and allowed Academy of Art to shoot 9-of-19 from 3-point range.
 

The Wildcats led wire-to-wire, but a late run by the Urban Knights had them within striking distance at 70-64 with 2:59 remaining.  It was the first time this season the Wildcats were not ahead by double-digits during the final five minutes of a game.
 
Of course, the Wildcats leapt from No. 17 to No. 8 in the nation because they had been nearly perfect offensively prior to some second-half struggles Tuesday night.
 
Robert Duncan did not struggle. The junior scored 23 of his career-high 29 points in the second half to lead the Wildcats, who improved to 3-0. It was his second straight game with a career-high, and he did it in only 26 minutes after colleting two quick fouls and sitting out most of the first half. Duncan also delivered four steals, four assists and four rebounds.
 
Sophomore point guard Jalen McFerren also had another strong game, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. Drew Kitchens scored 11 points and Tanner Giddings had 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds.
 
The Wildcats led by as many as 15 in the first half and took a 41-30 advantage into the break.
 
Duncan scored 12 points in the first 12 minutes of the second half as Chico State's lead grew to 64-47 before the Urban Knights rallied. They hit three straight 3-pointers during a 17-6 run that closed the gap to 70-64 with 2:59 remaining.
 
A pair of McFerren free throws followed by a turnover and Giddings dunk (assisted by Duncan) gave the Wildcats some breathing room. Duncan scored the next seven points – hitting 5-of-6 from the free throw line – to put the game away.
 
Chico State will play its first home games of the season this weekend at the Carl's Jr. Mac Martin Invitational. The Wildcats will face 23^rd-ranked Seattle Pacific Friday at 7:30 and then Simpson University Saturday at 7:30. Cal State East Bay will be playing the 5:30 games: versus Simpson Friday and Seattle Pacific Saturday.
 
Chico State students with ID get in free. Children in high school and younger are $2, seniors (60 and over) and other students are $4, general admission is $7, and seatback seating is $9.