Some were more vociferous about it than others. But they all smiled agreed. That was the response of every Chico State men's basketball player and coach when asked if it is good to be home this week after playing 11 of their first 15 games of the season on the road, including last weekend's arduous journey to Arcata and then Pomona.
 
The Wildcats, ranked No. 25 in the nation at 12-3 overall and 6-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), will now play eight of their next 11 games at Acker Gym – where they've won 11 straight conference games – before wrapping up the regular season at Cal State L.A.
 
That isn't to say that the Wildcats are sitting around with their feet up: not with rivals San Francisco State and Sonoma State scheduled to visit Acker Gym this weekend. The Gators are in town Friday and Sonoma State Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip at approximately 7:30. 
 
The Wildcats enter the weekend in a three-way tie for third place in the CCAA, a game behind Cal Poly Pomona and UC San Diego. At 3-4 in conference play, Sonoma State (8-5 overall) is tied for seventh. San Francisco State (8-5, 2-5 CCAA) is tied for ninth.
 
This marks the first time since 1992-93 the Wildcats have won 12 of their first 15. A win Friday would mark the program's fifth start of 13-3 or better in 101 seasons. Two wins this weekend and a 14-3 record would be its first since 1944-45.
 
The Wildcats also continue to make history in the polls. The Wildcats extended their program-record streak of consecutive weeks in the top-25 to seven despite Saturday's loss at now-5^th-ranked Cal Poly Pomona.
 
Versus San Francisco State
San Francisco State is Chico State's longest-running rival. The teams squared off for the 200th time on Dec. 4 in San Francisco, a game the Wildcats came from behind to win 74-67.
 
Chico State outscored San Francisco State 23-7 over the final eight-plus minutes after the Gators made seven of their first eight three-point attempts and 12 of their first 20 to build a lead as large as 12.
 
Isaiah Ellis scored 14 points to lead five Wildcats in double-figures. Robert Duncan and Tanner Giddings combined for 15 points during the game-deciding surge.
 
It is a series that was once dominated by San Francisco State. But by winning six straight meetings, nine of the last 10, and 27 of the last 40, the Wildcats have closed the gap to 101-99.
 
Versus Sonoma State
The Wildcats will have revenge on their minds against Sonoma State. James Davis scored 30 of his game-high 33 points in the second half to lead the Seawolves to a 61-58 win on Dec. 19 in Rohnert Park.
 
Duncan was nearly as hot, scoring 25 of his 27 points in the second half. He also pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds.
 
Chico State's season-high 22 turnovers and the absence of sixth-man Corey Silverstrom (injury) proved too much to overcome, however.
 
The loss snapped Chico State's eight-game winning streak against Sonoma State. Chico State leads the all-time series 48-42 and has beaten the Seawolves three times in a row at home.
 
How to follow
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.