ROCKLIN – The steam emanating from ears of Head Coach Greg Clink over the past few days apparently sparked something in the Chico State men's basketball team. The Wildcats were on fire from the opening tip in a 78-58 victory at William Jessup Tuesday night in Rocklin after a disappointing performance in the Carl's Jr. Mac Martin Invitational over the weekend.
 
Jalen McFerren and Corey Silverstrom scored 14 points apiece in the first half, combining to hit 7-of-8 threes, as the Wildcats built a 51-27 halftime edge and cruised to victory.
 
Silverstrom scored a game-high 20 points. McFerren finished with 15 points, five assists and four steals. Isaiah Ellis scored all 10 of his points in the second half and grabbed a team-high six rebounds. Drew Kitchens sank three-of-five threes en route to nine points. Chris Magalotti and Tanner Giddings contributed eight points apiece.
 

Chico State, ranked No. 23 in the nation, improved to 5-1 on the season and 4-0 on the road.
 
The Wildcats made their first four shots and six of their first eight (including a pair of Kitchens threes) to grab a 14-4 lead.
 
William Jessup fought back to trim the lead to 19-16 before the Wildcats took complete control.
 
Silverstrom sank consecutive threes to spark a 32-13 run over the final 9:22 of the half. McFerren made four threes en route to 14 points during the offensive outburst. Silverstrom had 12.
 
The Wildcats finished 12-of-19 from 3-point range and committed only eight turnovers.
 
"I thought our first half was really good," Clink told Mike Baca on the AM-1290 KPAY Post Game Show. "We did a great job offensively sharing the ball."
 
The Wildcats finished with 18 assists on 29 made baskets.
 
Chico State opens California Collegiate Athletic Association play this weekend on the road in the Bay Area. They face San Francisco State Friday at 7:30 in a game that will be televised on the Comcast Hometown Network (channel 104 for Comcast customers). Saturday at 7:30 they'll face Cal State East Bay.