GLENDALE, Arizona—On the same night the Washington Nationals won the World Series title to cap the 2019 Major League Baseball season, the Chico State men's basketball team played its first exhibition game of its 2019–20 campaign with hopes of some big celebrations of its own in the distant future.
 
The Wildcats got off to a nice start, winning 84-74 at Arizona Christian behind a big game from returning All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) selection Malik Duffy, who led the way with 23 points and 14 rebounds.
 
All 14 of the Wildcats' active players saw action in the game and Amari Stroud, Andrew Parker, Joshua Hamilton, Colby Orr, and Brennan Wheeler made their Chico State debuts in a game Chico State led from early in the first half on while turning 19 offensive rebounds into a 26-6 advantage in second-chance points.
 
Justin Briggs finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, and six blocked shots. Kevin Warren chipped in 10 points and four steals. And Isaiah Brooks contributed nine points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals.
 
Stroud and Kelvin Wright, Jr., posted two of the more impressive debuts. A redshirt freshman from Sunnyside High School in Fresno, Stround finished with 11 points, four rebounds, and a blocked shot in 14 minutes of action. Wright, a redshirt freshman from Rancho Cucamonga High School, scored six points to go along with five rebounds and two blocked shots in 15 minutes.
 
Warren gave the Wildcats the lead for good with a triple 6:53 into the game. That was part of a 13-1 push, capped by consecutive 3-pointers from Duffy and Colby Orr, that staked the Wildcats to a 25-13 advantage. Duffy finished the first half with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Warren and Brooks combined for 13 points, four steals, and four assists.
 
Stroud and Duffy drained threes and Calvin Geraci converted a three-point play during a 13-2 run midway through the second half that gave the Wildcats their largest lead of the night at 75-60. The lead was down to six before Briggs hit a short jumper with 29 seconds left that salted the game away.
 
The Wildcats will be back in action Friday night at the University of Arizona. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The pre-game show on AM 1290 KPAY begins at 6:05. The game will also be streamed live at Pac-12.com. Links to online broadcasts and live stats are available at www.chicowildcats.com.