ROHNERT PARK – They christened the new-look "Wolves Den" at Sonoma State Friday night just in time for rival Chico State to visit. The new seats look nice, but they didn't get used much. The Seawolves' top-ranked Division II defense had the packed house on its feet all night. Chico State missed 35 of 49 field-goal attempts, committed 11 first-half turnovers, had eight of its shots blocked, and got outrebounded for just the third time this season in a 66–50 loss.
 
Isaiah Ellis had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the 20^th-ranked Wildcats, who slipped to 18-4 overall and 11-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Jalen McFerren chipped in 11 points.
 
But the rest of the team struggled mightily. Leading scorer Corey Silverstrom missed 8-of-10 shots. Second-leading scorer Robert Duncan was 1-for-5 with five turnovers. And Saturday night's hero off the bench, Michael Bethea, Jr., missed 9-of-10 shots.
 
The Wildcats slipped back into a tie for first place with UC San Diego with the loss. Sonoma State and San Francisco State loom just a half-game back.
 
Sonoma State, which has now won eight of nine since falling to the Wildcats 53–50 on December 17 in Acker Gym, improved to 14-5 overall and 10-3 in the CCAA.
 
The Seawolves entered the night leading the nation in scoring defense by nearly three points per game at 58.6 and improved upon that mark Friday. They held Chico State to 22 points in the game's first 28 minutes and led by 16 before the Wildcats threatened to get back into the game.
 
Ellis and McFerren scored five points apiece as Chico State put together a 10–2 run to trim the lead to seven. But Sonoma State answered with an 18–7 push to put the game away.
 
The Wildcats' plan entering the game was to limit the Seawolves from 3-point range from where they had hit 41.3-percent of their shots, good for 18^th in the nation. They did. Sonoma State missed 9-of-11 from beyond the arc. But they dominated in the paint where they outscored the Wildcats 38–14.
 
Jimmy Golden led the Seawolves with 18 points, Lucke Cochran scored 15, and Armani Nocolis finished with 14.
 
Chico State is back in action Saturday for a huge matchup at San Francisco State, which beat Stanislaus State in overtime Friday to move to within a half-game of the Wildcats and UC San Diego for first. The Gators are 16-3 overall and 10-3 in the CCAA.
 
Fans can catch that game locally on AM-1290 KPAY. 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.