It's winning time.
 
Regular listeners of Chico State men's basketball on AM-1290 KPAY and the online Wildcat Webcast have heard the voice of the Wildcats, Mike Baca, refer to "winning time" on a number of occasions over the last couple of years.
 
Because of the team's run of four straight NCAA Championship Tournaments and two California Collegiate Athletic Association titles, Baca theorizes that the Wildcats know how to win by making the right plays and right decisions in crunch time, or as he calls it – "winning time."
 
In the case of the CCAA Championship race, winning time begins this weekend for the Wildcats, who have just six regular-season games remaining. They play UC San Diego in a battle for first place on Friday night in La Jolla, and then take on Cal State San Bernardino Saturday night in the Inland Empire.
 
Both games are scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m.
 
Friday's winner will not only be alone in first place, but also hold the tiebreaker for the CCAA Championship Tournament's top seed.
 
Chico State enters the weekend ranked No. 9 in the nation at 18-3 overall and 12-2 in the CCAA. UC San Diego is ranked No. 6 in the nation at 18-3 and holds a half game lead over the Wildcats for first place in the conference standings at 13-2.
 
Cal State San Bernardino is having its worst season in years, but the Coyotes have started to right the ship, having won three of their last six. They nearly upset Humboldt State in Arcata two weeks ago and had a seven-point lead against UC San Diego with 10 minutes to play before falling to the Tritons 71-66 last Saturday.
 
A pair of wins this weekend would put the Wildcats in the drivers' seat to win their second straight CCAA title and third in five years after the program's 17-year conference championship drought. It would also mark the team's third straight 20-win season.
 
Following this weekend, the Wildcats will play three of their last four regular season games at home. They host Cal Poly Pomona at home in a game to be broadcast on ESPN3 Friday night (CLICK HERE for ticket information) and then Humboldt State Saturday on Senior Night. Cal State Dominguez Hills will be in town Feb. 25 and then the Wildcats will wrap up the regular season at Cal State L.A. on Feb. 27.
 
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. Fans hoping to watch Friday night's showdown at UC San Diego will have to pay $5.95 to watch streaming video. Streaming audio of Chico State games is always free.