The Chico State, Cal Poly Pomona, Cal State San Marcos, and UC San Diego men's basketball teams are four wide coming around the final turn before the home stretch of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) schedule.
 
At 13-4 in the CCAA, the Wildcats (16-5 overall) are among a group of four teams separated by one game in the race for the conference title. Chico State has won two of the past three and three of the past six CCAA Championships. With five games remaining on their schedule, beginning with Thursday night's showdown at Stanislaus State, they might just control their own destiny in their pursuit for another.
 
Cal Poly Pomona (13-3 in CCAA action) currently leads the conference standings by percentage points over Cal State San Marcos (12-3). Chico State is in third (13-4), closely followed by UC San Diego (12-4).
 
Winners of seven in a row, the Wildcats have games remaining against UC San Diego and Cal State San Marcos, at home on Feb. 15 and 17, respectively. If they win out—a challenge to be sure, but one they will pursue one game at a time—they can finish no worse than a tie for second. However, if Cal Poly Pomona loses at least once, the title is within reach.  
 
Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Marcos will play Tuesday night and Saturday night. Cal Poly Pomona plays at UC San Diego on Friday as well.
 
The stretch run is here, and it's sure to be exciting.
 
Though Stanislaus State is a longshot to challenge for the title at 9-7 in the CCAA, the Warriors are vying to find a way into the top four and earn the first-round home CCAA Tournament game. At 14-8 overall, they are also angling for an NCAA Tournament berth.
 
Chico State beat Stanislaus State 73-59 on Nov. 22 in Acker Gym. The Warriors seemed intent on clogging up the paint, so the Wildcats used crisp ball movement and marvelous shooting to light up the Warriors from the perimeter.
 
Jalen McFerren hit 6-of-12 from 3-point range, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way. Nate Ambrosini went 3-of-5 from distance, Isaiah Ellis 2-of-4, and Calvin Geraci made his only attempt, as the Wildcats connected on 15-of-32 as a team. Of their 24 baskets, 21 came with an assist.
 
Thursday's rematch, scheduled to tip at 7:30 p.m., will be broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY. Links to the online radio broadcast, stats, and the video stream are available on the top-left corner of this advance, in the calendar section of the homepage, and on the men's basketball schedule page at www.chicowildcats.com.
 
Following Thursday's game, Chico State will return home to take on UC San Diego on Thursday, Feb. 15, and Cal State San Marcos on Saturday, Feb. 17.
 
They'll wrap up the regular season at San Francisco State and Sonoma State on the weekend of Feb. 23-24.