The 2019–20 Chico State men's basketball team's introduction to the home fans at Acker Gym went well Saturday night. It's safe to say that they will be back for another date after a 69-54 win against Holy Names University.
The Wildcats did not shoot particularly well, but dominated the boards to the tune of 46-32 and held Holy Names to 34 percent shooting in improving to 2-1.
Meanwhile, the four Wildcats who made their home collegiate debuts, also made a good first impression. Redshirt freshman Amari Stroud sported a plus-minus of plus-17 in his 18 minutes of action—second best on the team—while contributing five points, three rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Joshua Hamilton had eight points and three rebounds. Colby Orr posted three assists, two rebounds, and buried a 3-pointer with the shot clock running down that pushed Chico State's lead to 13 with just under 12 minutes to play. Sophomore Brennan Wheeler also debuted and sported a plus-4 in 3:22 of action.
Justin Briggs led Chico State with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Isaiah Brooks finished with 12 points and a plus-22. Kevin Warren had 10 points and three assists. And Malik Duffy grabbed four rebounds.
Chico State is back in action Thursday night when it opens California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play against Stanislaus State in the second game of the women's-men's doubleheader at 7:30 p.m. They'll then host Cal State East Bay Saturday.
Brooks buried a trio of first-half triples to lead Chico State to a 12-point halftime lead.
Warren scored the last six points of an 8-0 push that put the Wildcats ahead for keeps, 18-14, with seven minutes left in the first half. The lead was still four with 3:15 to go before intermission, but Chico State finished the half on a 10-1 run to push the lead to double-digits. Brooks and Briggs scored four-points apiece to set the pace and Warren turned Stroud's second steal at the half into a fast break layup.
The lead remained in double figures (from between 10 and 19 points) throughout the second half.
