Home for the first time this season, the Chico State men's basketball team looked extremely comfortable.
 
The Wildcats beat visiting Stanislaus State 80-53, collecting their first win of the season behind 40 minutes of solid defense, a dominating night on the boards, and a well-balanced offensive attack.
 
Chico State is now 1-2 overall and 1-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Stanislaus State slipped to 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the CCAA.
 
No doubt, the defensive effort was the highlight of the night for Wildcats Head Coach Greg Clink. The Warriors entered the game averaging 77 points per game on 43-percent shooting.  
Rebounding was likely second on his list. The Wildcats outrebounded Stanislaus State 45-23 as four different 'Cats corralled six boards or more, led by Malik Duffy's 11.
 
Offensively, Chico State used a balanced attack. Kevin Warren, a transfer from Cal State Monterey Bay who was making his debut in front of the home fans, led the way with 13 points. Justin Briggs bullied his way around the paint on the way to 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting. The junior guard also pulled down eight rebounds, blocked a shot, and impacted countless others. Point guard Isaiah Brooks pumped in a career high 11 points to go with three assists and did not commit a turnover in 26 minutes of action. Calvin Geraci and Duffy chipped in 10 points apiece, and Marvin Timothy had nine.
 
The Wildcats, who had their non-conference slate cancelled after the Camp Fire and had struggled to find a rhythm in their first two games, led from wire-to-wire. Outside of a rough five-minute stretch in the first half, they completely dominated the action.

 

Chico State raced to an 11-2 lead, getting a Warren dunk to start the scoring and consecutive 3-pointers from Brooks, Duffy, and Warren.  

The lead grew to 27-10 before the Warriors righted the ship momentarily with a 14-0 run.
 
The advantage was down to two when Timothy quelled the rally with a three-point play. The senior center hit a shot-clock beating jumper six seconds before intermission.
 
Geraci scored five points, Briggs ripped home a dunk, and Keith Datu delivered a pair of free throws in a 9-0 push early in the second half that got the lead back into double-digits to stay.
 
Briggs scored eight more during another 9-0 push to build the lead to 55-33 with 11:26 to go. At that point, the Wildcats had outscored the Warriors 21-4 out of the break.
 
And they weren't done yet. The bulge grew as large as 31 on three different occasions.
 
Chico State will look to carry the momentum into Saturday's home game against Cal State East Bay, which will mark their final game at Acker Gym until January 10. The Pioneers are off to their best start in the CCAA era at 8-1 overall and 4-0 in the CCAA.
 
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
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.
 
People can give by simply clicking HERE or by texting WildcatsRise74 to 71777.
 

For complete information on the University's response, please visit HERE.