The Chico State men's basketball team capped 2015 with arguably its best defensive effort of the season, beating Cal State L.A. 73-55 for its 11^th consecutive home conference win Thursday afternoon at Acker Gym.
 
Corey Silverstrom scored a game-high 18 points in 24 minutes off the bench and Tanner Giddings contributed a season-high 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
 

The 21^st-ranked Wildcats improved to 10-2 overall and 4-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Their 10-2 start matches the program's best since 1938-39 when they won 11 of their first 12. Chico State also started 10-2 in 1940-41, 1942-43 and 2013-14.
 
Cal State L.A., which had won two straight coming in, fell to 2-9 overall and 1-3 in the CCAA.
 
Defense and rebounding keyed Chico State's win. The 21^st-ranked Wildcats held the Golden Eagles to 36-percent shooting and 18 points below their season scoring average. They also outrebounded the Golden Eagles 41-26. Cal State L.A. had not been beaten on the boards like that this season.
 
The Wildcats' unselfish passing led to a strong shooting night on the offensive end. They assisted on 18 of their 24 buckets while shooting 47 percent in the game and 55 percent in the second half.
 
Chico State never trailed in the game. The Wildcats led by as many as 12 in the first half and 20 in the game.
 
Cal State L.A. had cut Chico State's 12-point lead down to three with 17 minutes left before an 8-0 spurt gave the Wildcats control for good.
 
Jalen McFerren hit a three (assisted by Robert Duncan), Duncan converted a three-point play (assisted by McFerren), and then Duncan found Chris Magalotti for a transition dunk and a 45-34 lead with 15:47 to play.
 
The lead was still 11 before Drew Kitchens delivered a dime to Giddings for a bucket. On Chico State's next offensive trip, Tyler Harris passed up a good look to get Silverstrom an even better one and the sophomore sixth-man knocked down the third of his four triples.
 
McFerren finished with 10 points, five assists and five rebounds. Duncan had 10 points, a team-high nine rebounds, and four assists. Kitchens and Harris had three assists apiece, while Harris pulled down a career-high six boards.
 
The Wildcats will now hit the road for three straight beginning Saturday night at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. After that, they return home where they'll play eight of their last 12, beginning with a Jan. 15 showdown against San Francisco State.
 
Every Chico State basketball game this season will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 KPAY-AM. Links to streaming audio, video and live stats are available in the calendar section on the ChicoWildcats.com homepage and on the men's basketball schedule page.