It didn't take long to figure out what the Chico State men's basketball team had under the tree in a 109–63 victory against Pacific Union Monday night in Acker Gym. The Wildcats shook the Pioneers with a 22–2 run to start the game and went on to score their most points since Dec. 7, 2005, when they beat Cal State Stanislaus 111–105.
 
Robert Duncan matched his season-high with 22 points, delivered a career-high nine assists, and tacked on five rebounds, four steals and a blocked shot as Chico State earned its largest margin of victory (46 points) since an 83–36 win against Academy of Art on Nov. 13, 2011.
 
The Wildcats are now 10-2, including 6-0 at home.
 
Because Pacific Union is an NAIA program, it was allowed to count Monday's game as an exhibition.
 
The Pioneers actually had a decent resume entering the contest. They are 5-2, including a win against Division II's Holy Names. They lost by just four at Humboldt State. And in games against Division I programs Sacramento State, San Jose State, and Cal State Bakersfield, they had not lost by more than 37.
 
They were never in the game Friday.
 
Chico State led by as many as 33 in the first half and kept stretching the lead, which grew as large as 49.
 
A number of Wildcats joined Duncan in having a big night statistically. Jalen McFerren made 5 of 9 threes and finished with 19 points. Isaiah Ellis racked up 16 points, two blocks, and matched his career best with three steals. Corey Silverstrom scored with 15 points and matched his career standard with six assists. And freshman Justin Briggs finished with 11 points and a game-high seven rebounds.
 
The Wildcats, now 11-0 when scoring 90 or more in the Greg Clink era, forced 28 turnovers and turned them into 44 points.
 
McFerren made a trio of triples and had two assists, and Marvin Timothy scored six quick points, as Chico State built a 22-2 lead.
 
An 8–0 push later in the half ballooned the advantage to 49–17. Duncan made a pair of free throws, grabbed a steal and assisted on Silverstrom's fast-break layup, and grabbed a rebound before going coast-to-coast to cap the run. Ellis also had a steal and breakaway dunk during the fray.
 
Chico State's lead never dipped below 30 following a 9–0 run early in the second half. Duncan drove and kicked for threes by Ellis and Joseph Lynch to spark the offensive.
 
Chico State will now be off during the NCAA's mandatory winter break before jumping back into conference play at home against Cal State Monterey Bay on Dec. 29. After that, unbeaten and nationally-ranked San Francisco State will be in town for a New Year's Eve matinee.