POMONA—The Chico State men's basketball team simply struggled to put the biscuit in the basket. UC San Diego made sure it was no picnic for the Wildcats, avenging last season's NCAA Tournament West Regional title loss with a 66-49 victory in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament semifinals at Kellogg Arena on the campus of Cal Poly Pomona.
 
Chico State shot just 29 percent, missed 17 of 22 3-point attempts, and went just 12-of-21 from the line in falling to 20-8.
 
"It was a tough game obviously for us," Chico State Head Coach Greg Clink said. "Give UC San Diego a lot of credit. I thought they executed and hit shots. They are very well coached and I have a tremendous amount of respect for them and their program. I was proud of our effort. I thought we defended well. They just played a little better than we did and made more shots."

 
The Wildcats, seeded No. 7 in the West Region entering the CCAA Tournament, will now await Sunday's 7:30 p.m. NCAA Championship Tournament Selection Show to learn if their season will continue. They have made the tournament a region-best six seasons running.
 
"We're hoping we have a chance of getting into the NCAA Tournament," Clink said. "But with that being said this year and all of the years coaching these guys has been an absolute joy for me. They've given their lives to the basketball program and the University and I can't thank them enough for that."
 
If this does mark the end of the line for the senior trio of Corey Silverstrom, Jalen McFerren, and Isaiah Ellis, they leave having left an indelible impression on the program. They join Robert Duncan as the only four seniors in the history of the program that can boast four consecutive 20-win seasons, and along with Duncan, helped lead the Wildcats to consecutive CCAA titles in 2015 and 2016, and their second NCAA Regional title in 2017.
 
Silverstrom passed former teammate Jordan Semple into seventh on Chico State's career scoring list with his first bucket of the night. He finished with 11 and has scored 1,310 in his career. Silverstrom also ranks fourth in school history with 187 threes, 10^th with 262 assists, and is one of 11 players with 100-plus career steals.
 
"It's been something I'll never forget," Silverstrom said. "It's been some of the most fun times of my life. I've learned some life lessons. I'll never forget playing for the best Division II Coach in the nation. I've got nothing but love for not only the coach but the whole University and the education they provided me with. Hopefully this isn't our last game."
 
McFerren is the lone player in the history of the program with career totals eclipsing 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 250 assists, and 100 steals. He ranks secnd all-time in made 3-pointers, fifth in assists, seventh in steals, ninth in rebounds, and 14^th in scoring. He's also the school record holder with a free throw percentage of 85 percent.
 
"It's an emotional feeling beyond basketball, "McFerren said. "Chico has become a home. Coach Clink is like a father figure for me. He's taught us so many lessons. I'm grateful I have been there last four years and played for Chico State."

 
Ellis, the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 NCAA West Regional, and like McFerren a two-time First Team All-CCAA selection, matched Semple for eighth all-time in scoring at 1,300 points with his team-high 19 Friday. He's fifth in blocked shots, sixth in rebounds, and sixth in steals.
 
He's done his very best work against the Tritons, highlighted by his 34-point, 14-rebound performance in last season's regional title game.
 
Ellis played well against the Tritons once again Friday, hitting 6 of 12 shots and grabbing three steals.
 
"They are a well-coached program and we have a lot of respect for that team," Ellis said. "Their competitiveness brings out the best in me."
 
Ellis took two steals coast to coast and knocked down a 3 as Chico State climbed out of an early 7-0 hole to tie the game at 15. The Wildcats briefly took the lead on Silverstrom's 3 with 4:40 remaining in the first half.
 
But that was Chico State's lone lead of the day.
 
The Tritons scored the next seven points and went to the half leading 26-21.
 
McFerren's jumper in the lane closed the gap to 47-44 with 7:35 remaining, but that was as close as the Wildcats would get. UC San Diego (20-10) closed the game on a 13-2 run.
 
McFerren finished with seven points and six rebounds. Silverstrom scored 11 and pulled down five boards. Justin Briggs finished with five points and a game-high nine rebounds.
 
Silverstrom knows where the Wildcats must improve if they do advance to the NCAA Tournament.
 
"Make shots. We missed a lot of shots—open shots we could have made," Silverstrom said. "I know what this group is capable of, so I'm real hopeful we get another shot."
 
The NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Selection Show will be streamed live at approximately 7:30 Sunday at NCAA.com.