Chico State Head Coach Greg Clink didn't become the quickest coach in the program's history to 150 wins Saturday night by failing to get his message across.
 
So it isn't a surprise that his message after Friday's extremely frustrating loss – that his team needed to respond Saturday against rival Humboldt State – seemed to get through loud and clear in an 82-74 win in Acker Gym.
 

Coming off an 0-for-9 effort on Friday, Corey Silverstrom certainly responded. The sophomore was aggressive and effective, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Tyler Harris responded, coming off the bench to rack up six points, five rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes.
 
Isaiah Ellis led all scorers with 19 points. Jalen McFerren piled up 13 points and nine rebounds. And Robert Duncan had 11 points, eight rebounds four assists. He committed just one turnover after finishing with eight on Friday.
 
Chico State is now just one win away from capturing at least a share of its second consecutive California Collegiate Athletic Association title. The 8^th-ranked Wildcats are now 21-4 overall and 15-3 in the CCAA and lead second-place UC San Diego by one game with two to play.
 
They have a chance to clinch on the home court Thursday at 7:30 against Cal State Dominguez Hills. They'll wrap up the regular season Saturday at 7:30 at Cal State L.A.
 
Humboldt State slipped to 17-8 overall and 11-8 overall with the loss in the 199^th meeting between these long-time rivals.
 
The tension that usually fills the arena when these two teams meet was melted away by the first-half play of Silverstrom, Ellis and Harris, who led the Wildcats to an eight-point halftime lead.
 
The advantage grew to 12 as seniors Christopher Magalotti and Tanner Giddings scored during a 6-2 push to start the second half.
 
McFerren hit a 3 and then Giddings, Magalotti and Silverstrom scored inside during a 9-0 run that stretched the lead to 61-44 with 8:49 remaining.
 
Humboldt State got as close as seven on three occasions but the Wildcats responded each time.
 
Giddings and Magalotti were honored prior to the game in "Senior Night" ceremonies and received loud ovations from the 1,356 in attendance.
 
Magalotti finished with four points, four rebounds and career-best three blocks despite foul trouble. Giddings contributed eight points and four rebounds.
 
Those two are guaranteed at least two more home appearances in a Chico State uniform: Thursday night and a first round CCAA Championship Tournament game against an opponent yet to be determined on Tuesday, March 1.