The 200
th meeting between Northern California men's basketball rivals Chico State and Humboldt State was one of the most lopsided in the history of the series. Chico State's 96–73 was its largest margin of victory against the Lumberjacks in more than 20 years.
Justin Briggs bagged 12 points, nine boards, and a steal in 19 minutes.
Jalen McFerren finished with 21 points (just one off his career-high) and matched his career-best with 13 rebounds, as the Wildcats won going away. Isaiah Ellis added 13 points, Corey Silverstrom and Justin Briggs 12 apiece, and Robert Duncan and Nate Ambrosini scored 10 each. Silverstrom also set a new career-high in steals with four.
Defensively, Chico State held the California Collegiate Athletic Association's leading offense 19 points below its season average. Humboldt State's leading scorers–Tyras Rattler, Jr., Nikhil Lizotte, and Malik Morgan–were averaging a combined 47 points per game entering Friday night's action. Chico State held the trio to 16. The Wildcats also held the Lumberjacks to seven threes, which matches their fewest this season. Prior to Friday night, Humboldt State's lowest scoring game this season was 82.
Chico State, which boasts the nation's No. 2-ranked defense, improved to 8-2 overall and 2-1 in the CCAA. Humboldt State slipped to 6-3 overall and 1-2 in the CCAA.
The Wildcats, who now lead the all-time series 125–75, also dominated the glass. They outrebounded the Lumberjacks 54–30 and enjoyed a 23–5 advantage in second-chance points.
Chico State never trailed in the game, and a 10–0 run early in the first half put the Wildcats up 11.
Robert Duncan finished with
10 points and six rebounds in
21 minutes of action.
Reserves Michael Bethea, Jr. and Ambrosini combined for eight points in a 10–0 run that followed soon after and stretched the advantage to 33–15. Ambrosini finished with a career-high four assists, while Bethea finished with eight points, two rebounds and a steal in 10 productive minutes of action.
Keith Datu also gave the Wildcats some nice minutes off the bench, finishing with seven points, four rebounds, two assists, and a blocked shot in 15 minutes of action.
Chico State led 55–31 at the half and the Lumberjacks never got closer than 16 after that.
Chico State is back in action next Saturday against another long-time Northern California rival–Sonoma State. Tipoff at Acker Gym is scheduled for 7:30.
