Chico State men's basketball coach Greg Clink lamented his team's lack of toughness following Thursday night's California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) opening loss to Stanislaus State. The Wildcats found themselves right back on the ropes once again Saturday against an arguably even tougher opponent in visiting Cal State East Bay.
 
Then the Wildcats started throwing some haymakers of their own. Chico State rallied from down 10 with just 6:11 to play to beat Cal State East Bay 81-71 at Acker Gym, closing the game with a 25-5 run.
 
The Wildcats are now 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the CCAA. Cal State East Bay fell to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the CCAA.
 
Kevin Warren exploded for a season-high 21 points, including seven in the game's final six minutes, to lead the Wildcats. The drew eight fouls and pulled down seven rebounds. Justin Briggs finished with 15 points and two blocked shots. And Isaiah Brooks scored seven of his season-high 14 points in those final six minutes.
 
But the biggest blows of the night were delivered by Colby Orr, the Wildcats' backup point guard who provided the toughness clink was looking for. Orr followed up a contested layup with a steal and layup that tied the game at 69 with 2:53 remaining.
 
Orr finished with 10 points, four assists, two steals, and no turnovers in 18 minutes of action.

 
Warren made 1-of-2 free throws to give Chico State the lead with 2:26 remaining, and then railed a 3-pointer eight seconds later to stretch the lead to four. Malik Duffy, who matched his career high with 11 rebounds, secured the extra possession.
 
Duffy's fifth and final offensive rebound forced Cal State East Bay to begin fouling with 40 seconds left. Warren and Orr each made a pair to put the game away.
 
The Wildcats are back in action Wednesday in a non-conference game at Academy of Art at 4 p.m. They are back home to face Dominican University next Saturday, Nov. 30, at 4 p.m.