LOS ANGELES—Justin Briggs spent much of Friday night's game on the bench after getting off to a sluggish start. That meant he had a front-row seat to watch Isaiah Ellis' sensational performance in a win at Cal State Dominguez Hills. It appeared Saturday night that Briggs decided he wanted a piece of the action.
The 6-foot-9 sophomore turned in a sensational performance of his own, scoring a career-high 23 points, and Ellis was masterful once again, finishing with a season-high 26 points, as the Wildcats pounded Cal State LA 85–58 for their fifth straight victory.
Briggs, who hit 9-of-11 shots and also led Chico State with nine rebounds, will no doubt be clamoring to see if the Wildcats play on Jan. 27, 2019, when next season's schedule is released. His previous career high of 19 points came on Jan. 27, 2017 against Cal State San Bernardino.
Isaiah Ellis followed up Friday's 24-point performance with 26 Saturday.
Ellis' season-best point total of 24 set against Cal State Dominguez Hills, lasted for just one night. The senior forward sank 9-of-12 shots and also tallied seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
Corey Silverstrom matched his career high with seven assists to go along with seven points and four rebounds. And Nate Ambrosini hit a trio of 3-pointers to finish with nine points as Chico State improved to 14-5 overall and 11-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
The Wildcats' defense was the other star of the show. Chico State held Cal State LA 18 points below its season scoring average, marking the fifth straight game the Wildcats have accomplished that feat.
Chico State outscored the Golden Eagles 40–22 in the paint and 24-12 in points off turnovers.
Corey Silverstrom matched his career high by
dishing out seven assists.
(Jessica Bartlett/University Photographer)
Briggs and Ellis combined to score the game's first seven points as the Wildcats raced to a 14–2 lead and never trailed. Cal State LA twice cut the lead to nine, but never got closer. Following a 7–0 Wildcats run to start the second half, started by two Ellis buckets and capped by an Ambrosini three, the lead never fell below 18.
Cal State LA's first basket of the second half did not come until 5:17 had elapsed. By then, the lead was 20.
The Wildcats will play four of their next five at home, beginning with Thursday night's matchup against Cal State Monterey Bay. They host Cal State East Bay Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip off at 7:30.
