Isaiah Ellis erupted for 18 first-half points and matched Jalen McFerren with a game-high 24 as the Chico State men's basketball team avenged an earlier loss to Cal State Dominguez Hills with an 82–64 victory.
The totals were season highs for Ellis and McFerren, who spent much of the game at the free throw line. Ellis made 11 of 13 from the stripe and McFerren made his last 13 charities, including all 12 in the second half, to finish 14-of-17 from the line. The 14 made free throws match the most by a Wildcat in the Greg Clink era. Despite playing just 22 minutes before fouling out, Ellis chipped in a game-high nine rebounds.
Corey Silverstrom added 17 points and Nate Ambrosini pulled down a career-high eight rebounds as the Wildcats moved to 13-5 overall and 10-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with their fourth straight win.
The Wildcats' career-leader in free-throw
percentage (.850), Jalen McFerren, hit 14-of-17
Friday, including his last 13.
Ellis drew a foul and went to the line just 11 seconds into the game and scored Chico State's first six points.
"It was good for him to get into a rhythm and get aggressive," Chico State Head Coach Greg Clink said. "We need that from him."
Ellis' early assertiveness helped Chico State grab the lead, and he scored six points during an 11–0 run late in the first half that pushed the advantage to 42–21.
Cal State Dominguez Hills battled back in the second half, trimming the lead to eight, before McFerren put the Wildcats on his back, scoring 17 points over the final 8:57 as Chico State pulled away.
Marvin Timothy also played a strong game for the Wildcats, coming off the bench and supplying good energy to go along with five points, six rebounds, a block and two steals.
The Wildcats, who moved a half game behind Cal State San Marcos and UC San Diego for second in the conference standings, wrap up their trip to Southern California Saturday night at Cal State LA. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
