First it was a glide. Then it was a grind. Most importantly for the Chico State men's basketball team, it was an impressive victory.
 
The Wildcats raced to a 41–18 lead and then held off Stanislaus State for a 70–49 victory Tuesday night in their 2016–17 home opener at Acker Gym.
 
Chico State, ranked No. 19 in the nation, improved to 3-1 with the win.
 
The non-conference game between the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) rivals was never closer than a 10-point affair once the Wildcats built their big early lead. But Stanislaus State (1-3) used an 11–0 run early in the second half to get within striking distance.
 
A bucket and free throw by Kyle Gouveia had the Warriors within 55-44 with 6:52 left. But Chico State held them to one field goal over the final 7:26 and pulled away.

 
The Wildcats' defense was the story of the game. They held Stanislaus State to 39-percent shooting and blocked six shots, four coming off the hand of Justin Briggs. They forced 20 turnovers and grabbed 10 steals, four of which were credited to Robert Duncan.
 
Chico State turned those 20 turnovers into 25 points. The Wildcats also limited Stanislaus State to just one fast-break bucket.
 
Isaiah Ellis led the Wildcats with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. Jalen McFerren, who hit 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, had 13 points and four assists.
 
Duncan and Nate Ambrosini chipped in nine points apiece. Ambrosini and Michael Bethea, Jr. (seven points) led the way for the Wildcats' bench, which outscored Stanislaus State's 26-11.
 
Ellis scored the game's first seven points and dished to McFerren for a triple, and the Wildcats were out to a 10-0 lead.
 
Threes by McFerren and Ambrosini made it 16-4.
 
An 11-0 push, capped with triples from McFerren, Ambrosini, and Bethea, put the Wildcats out front 33-11 with 6:46 to play in the first half.
 
The Wildcats took a 39-18 lead into intermission, and McFerren found Ellis for a jumper coming out of the break, giving them their biggest advantage of the night at 41-18.
 
Stanislaus State responded with an 11-0 run to cut the lead to 12 before Ambrosini's triple ended a four-plus minute scoring drought.
 
The lead hovered between 10 and 16 before Duncan followed an Ellis bucket with a 3-pointer to make it 64-47 with 2:49 to play.
 
The Wildcats will host the 57^th Carl's Jr. Mac Martin Invitational this weekend. On Friday, Cal State East Bay will face Northwest Nazarene at 5:30 p.m., and Chico State will take on Academy of Art at 7:30. Saturday, Cal State East Bay and Academy of Art will play at 5:30 and Chico State will face off with Northwest Nazarene at 7:30.
 
Every remaining Chico State basketball 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.