SAN FRANCISCO – The Chico State and San Francisco State men's basketball programs matched up for the 200
th time Friday night at the Swamp in The City. They produced one of the best games in the series' storied history.
After struggling to slow San Francisco State's offense for much of the night, 23
rd-ranked Chico State outscored the Gators 23-7 over the final 8:20 to win their California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opener 74-67 in front of a standing-room-only crowd.
Robert Duncan scored eight of his 13 points over the game's final 8:20.That crowd – all decked in purple t-shirts for the Gators' "purple-out" promotion outside of a cluster of animated Chico State fans – was treated to San Francisco State's best shooting night of the season. The Gators made seven of their first eight three-point attempts and 12 of their first 20.
The Gators were rolling and the crowd was rocking.
But when San Francisco State finally cooled, Chico State came up clutch.
Tanner Giddings gave the Wildcats some desperately needed points in the post and Robert Duncan drained a pair of crucial 3-pointers as they combined to score 15 of the Wildcats' final 23.
Isaiah Ellis led five Wildcats in double-figures with 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Duncan and Corey Silverstrom scored 13 points apiece. Jalen McFerren finished with 12 points and five assists. Giddings finished with 11.
Chico State improved to 6-1 overall with its seventh straight regular-season road win. San Francisco State fell to 5-1 and 0-1 in the CCAA.
The Gators once dominated the rivalry, which has taken them both through the California Coast Conference, Far Western Conference, Northern California Athletic Conference and now the CCAA. But Chico State has chopped San Francisco State's advantage to 101-99 by winning six straight, nine of 10 and 26 of the past 39 meetings.
The streak was in jeopardy before Giddings railed a jumper and then converted a three-point play on a tip-in to give the Wildcats a 65-63 lead with 3:59 to play.
The teams traded leads before Jalen McFerren gave the Wildcats a 68-67 edge with two free throws with 1:45 remaining. Duncan drilled a 3 on the Wildcats' next trip, giving the Wildcats their first two-possession lead since the opening minutes of the game.
He added two free throws with 22 seconds left to put the game away.
Before all of that, host San Francisco State seemingly couldn't miss. Chico State made three straight 3s itself to start the game and led 11-6, but the Gators used a 24-10 push to take control.
Isaiah Ellis came off the bench to lead the Wildcats in scoring with 14.They led by as many as 12 and took a 43-36 edge at halftime.
Chico State's defense stiffened considerably in the second stanza, limiting San Francisco State to 35 percent shooting and forcing seven turnovers.
Chico State grabbed a momentary lead, 49-48, on Ellis' follow slam. But the Gators responded with three straight threes to regain control. They led 60-51 before Duncan knocked down his second of three triples and the tide turned Chico State's way for good.
The Wildcats also enjoyed a 32-21 edge in rebounding led by Giddings and Drew Kitchens, who pulled down six apiece.
Chico State is back in action Saturday night at Cal State East Bay. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30.
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.
