LA JOLLA – Two Top-25 teams. The top two teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Preseason Coaches Poll. One heck of a conference opener.
 
Unfortunately for the 17th-ranked Chico State men's basketball team, No. 22 UC San Diego was just a little bit better down the stretch.
 
The host Tritons took the lead with 2:09 to play and held on for a 60-56 win at RIMAC Arena Thursday night in Chico State's CCAA opener.
 
The Wildcats fell to 6-2 overall and 0-1 in the CCAA with the loss. UC San Diego improved to 7-1 overall and 2-0 in the CCAA.
 
Chico State enjoyed the largest lead of the game at 11-3 and no team led by more than six after that.
 
The Tritons led by as many as six in the second half before Chico State used a 9–0 run to grab a 44–39 advantage with 12 minutes to play.
 
It was a back-to-back battle after that, and Robert Duncan tied the game with a jumper with 2:36 remaining.
 
But UC San Diego's Chris Hansen hit a jumper 20 seconds later to give the Tritons the lead for good.
 
Hansen finished with a game-high 21 points and grabbed seven rebounds. 
 
Corey Silverstrom led Chico State with 13 points, including 11 in the second half. Nate Ambrosini had 11 on 4-of-5 shooting off the bench. Duncan finished with nine points, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
 
Isaiah Ellis blocked four shots for the Wildcats despite fouling out in 25 minutes. Justin Briggs blocked three shots and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
 
Chico State is back in action Saturday at Cal State San Marcos. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.