The Wildcat Family faithful that missed out on witnessing the offensive excellence of the Chico State men's basketball team during last season's NCAA Championship Tournament West Regional title run were treated to a similar performance Thursday night at Acker Gym. The Wildcats employed mesmerizing ball movement, logging a season-high 24 assists, in a 94–77 victory against visiting Cal State Monterey Bay.
 
Corey Silverstrom dished out a career-high eight assists, and six different Wildcats had two or more, as Chico State stretched its winning streak to six games, improving to 15-5 overall and 12-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
 
The Wildcats are now just one game behind Cal Poly Pomona, UC San Diego, and Cal State San Marcos in the loss column in the race for the CCAA title, which they have won two times in the past three seasons and three times in the past seven.
 
Reigning CCAA Player of the Week Isaiah Ellis continued his recent dominance, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Jalen McFerren knocked down 6-of-11 threes and scored 21 points to go along with eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and no turnovers. Nate Ambrosini added 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting, matching his career high. And Malik Duffy equaled his career high with 13 points.
 
The Wildcats, who have not trailed in the second half during their six-game streak, led wire-to-wire for the second consecutive game. They scored the game's first six points, led by 14 midway through the first half, and never saw their advantage fall below nine points.

 

Freshman Calvin Geraci ignited a 16–6 run with seven points and two assists during his first stint on the floor. He fed fellow reserve Marvin Timothy for a two-handed flush to get things started, and Timothy returned the favor moments later.
 
Geraci also knocked down a 3-pointer and scored inside before Duffy knocked down a jumper to make 28–14 game with 10:14 to play in the first half.
 
The Otters (4-17, 3-14 CCAA) cut the lead to nine on three occasions before Silverstrom found McFerren for a triple, and then Isaiah Brooks scored with a gorgeous reverse finish off glass on a fast break that stretched the lead to double-digits for good.
 
Consecutive 3-pointers by McFerren and Ambrosini built the advantage to 86–68 with 4:41 to play.
 
The Wildcats are back in action Saturday at home against Cal State East Bay, which lost 82–75 in overtime Thursday at Humboldt State. The Wildcats came from 13 points down to beat the Pioneers (8-15, 4-13 CCAA) on Dec. 16 in Hayward. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.