Jalen McFerren grew up on just the other side of the 580 Freeway from Cal State East Bay. Whenever the Chico State men's basketball team plays the Pioneers in Hayward, the Wildcats point guard has a large cheering section of friends, family and former coaches.
 
That section should be especially packed Saturday when the Wildcats face Cal State East Bay in Hayward for the final time of McFerren's career. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. McFerren and the Wildcats are hoping that cheering section witnesses another Chico State win.
 
The Wildcats have won 11 straight against Cal State East Bay, including six in a row at Pioneer Gymnasium.
 
Chico State enters the game 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), having won six of its last seven games. The Wildcats are ranked No. 21 in the nation in the D2SIDA Media Poll and among teams receiving votes in the NABC (Coaches) Poll.
 
Cal State East Bay is 2-3 in the CCAA. The Pioneers have won four of their past five games, including an impressive 80–76 victory at Western Washington Tuesday night, to even their record at 5-5.
 
The battle of the boards will be a part of Saturday night's story. Chico State leads the CCAA in rebounding margin (+8.8), while Cal State East Bay ranks second (+5.8).
 
McFerren leads Chico State in rebounding a seven per game. But he's not alone in his propensity to track down misses. Isaiah Ellis (6.6 per game), Justin Briggs (5.6), Corey Silverstrom (3.3), and Marvin Timothy (3.0) have all been productive.
 
The Pioneers are all pitching in the glass as well. With a 10-man rotation, they have seven players averaging between 3.1 and 5.1 rebounds per game.
 
Following Saturday's game, which will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY, the Wildcats will wrap up 2017 with three straight home games: a non-conference showdown against Simpson on Dec. 19, and conference games against Cal State L.A. on Dec. 29, and Cal State Dominguez Hills Dec. 31.
 
Links to live stats and streaming audio are available on the top-left corner of this release, on the men's basketball schedule page, and in the calendar section of our homepage. There will not be a video stream available.