LOS ANGELES – If the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Champion Chico State men's basketball team needed any motivation for its preparation for the postseason, the Wildcats got it Saturday night. Chico State concluded its regular season with a 65-64 loss in the Eagles' Nest at Cal State L.A. – the same team they will play in Tuesday night's 7 p.m. CCAA Championship Tournament opener in Acker Gym.
 
The Wildcats trailed by five with 41 seconds to play after Joshua Munzon buried a long 3-pointer as the shot clock wound down. But they clawed back to within a point thanks to a pair of Isaiah Ellis offensive rebounds and put-backs. Chico State got the ball back down a point with 5.4 seconds left, but Robert Duncan's potential game-winning jumper fell off the rim at the buzzer.
 
Cal State L.A., 10-17 overall and 9-11 in the CCAA, won seven of its last eight to close out the regular season and grab the conference's final postseason slot.
 

Chico State wrapped up the regular season 22-5 overall and 16-4 in the CCAA. Already conference champions at the CCAA Tournament's top seed for the second year in a row after Thursday night's win, the Wildcats were guaranteed sole possession of the title with about two minutes remaining in their game when UC San Diego lost to Sonoma State.
 
Ellis led the Wildcats with 23 points and nine rebounds. Duncan finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Tanner Giddings chipped in 13 points and seven rebounds.
 
Playing without the injured Corey Silverstrom – the Wildcats' most consistent threat from outside – they shot a season-low 17 percent from beyond the arc (3-for-18). 
 
Munzon finished with 21 points and Duce Zaid 17 to lead the Golden Eagles.
 
Tickets for Tuesday night's rematch are available at the University Box office on the corner of 3^rd and Chestnut and via phone at (530) 898-6333. Reserved seats are $9 each. Acker Backers and season ticket holders have their seats on hold until Monday at 3 p.m.
 
General Admission tickets are $7 for adults, $4 for seniors (age 60 and over) and visiting students, and $2 for high school age and under.
 
Chico State student tickets are $2, but the athletic department will be covering the price of admission for the first 500 students who show a valid ID at the University Box Office. Any remaining free student tickets will be brought to Acker Gym the night of the game. After the 500 free student tickets are gone, students will have to purchase a ticket for $2.