Having three season-opening non-conference games wiped from the schedule came back to bite the Chico State men's basketball team last weekend, as the new edition of the Wildcats were forced to play their very first game of the 2018–19 campaign—and begin California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play—last Saturday against nationally-ranked UC San Diego. Now with a full week of practice under their belts, the 'Cats are prepared to corral their first win of the season, as they travel to the Bay Area Saturday for an afternoon tilt against San Francisco State. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. at The Swamp.
Mike Baca will provide the play-by-play locally on Newstalk 1290, with the action simulcast on the Internet via the Wildcat Athletics website. Live Stats and live streaming video will also be available online.
Though Chico State dropped an 84-68 decision to UC San Diego, there were several positive takeaways from the season's opening contest. The Wildcats featured five players—Justin Briggs, Kevin Warren, Spencer LaShells, Calvin Geraci, and Malik Duffy—scoring in double figures, and the Chico State bench outscored the Tritons by a sizeable 46-31 margin. The team's ball-handling was also a highlight, as the Wildcats committed just eight turnovers on the night.
The 'Cats face a San Francisco State squad that is 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the CCAA. The Gators opened up conference play last Friday with a 78-76 win over Cal State Monterey Bay.
San Francisco State hosts Cal Poly Pomona Thursday before taking on the 'Cats Saturday afternoon.
Defense has been the key to the Gators' early-season success. While San Francisco State averages 68.4 points a game, it has held opponents to just 58.8 points a contest—tops among the 13 CCAA teams.
Seven-foot senior center Ryne Williams has provided the Gators with plenty of production, averaging a team-best 11.2 points, along with 7.2 rebounds a game. Junior forward Jase Wickliffe is averaging 8.6 points a game and has knocked down 11 3-pointers on the season. Senior swingman Chiefy Ugbaja leads San Francisco State in rebounding, averaging 7.6 boards a game.
Chico State and San Francisco State split their two meetings last season. Since 1987, the Wildcats hold a 43-24 edge over the Gators.
Support Students, Faculty, and Staff Impacted by the Camp Fire
The Wildcat Athletics Family is committed to doing all we can to help spread awareness and help for those directly impacted by the Camp Fire, which struck Butte County on Thursday, November 8. We are reaching out to you asking for help raising money for the Wildcats Rise Fire Recovery Fund, established by the University.
Donations to this fund will support students, faculty, and staff in need of aid for clothing and household goods, electronics such as phones and laptops, transportation, childcare assistance, temporary housing, school supplies, or meal assistance.
This terrible disaster will not stop the resolve of our Chico State community. Together, our Wildcats Family will rise.
A table will be set up at Saturday's 7 p.m. women's basketball game to make it easy to give. People can also give by simply clicking
HERE or by texting WildcatsRise74 to 71777.
For complete information on the University's response, please visit
HERE.
