Players on the Chico State men's basketball team were quick to remember last year's 98-88 season-ending loss to Sonoma State at Acker Gym. Following Thursday's 113-69 home victory against Cal State Monterey Bay, each one who was asked about Saturday's showdown at Sonoma State signaled excitement about an opportunity to exact some revenge.
 
Their defensive effort Saturday signaled the same. The Wildcats held Sonoma State 20 points below their season scoring average in a 73-48 victory.
 
Kevin Warren, Justin Briggs and Joshua Hamilton scored 15 points apiece to lead the Wildcats, who shot 10-of-21 from 3-point range. Briggs, Amari Stroud and Kelvin Wright Jr. grabbed six rebounds apiece as Chico State outrebounded Sonoma State 38-23.
 
With its sixth win in its last seven games, Chico State improves to 8-3 overall and 4-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Sonoma State slips to 3-8 overall and 2-3 in the CCAA.
 
After trailing 6-5 early, Chico State used a 21-6 run to take control of the game. Warren hit a 3-pointer and grabbed a steal and went coast to coast for a bucket to help spark the rally. Colby Orr's triple made it 26-12 with 6:32 left in half.
 
Warren went to the locker room with 11 points, two assists, and two steals and the Wildcats enjoyed a 39-22 lead.
 
Sonoma State scored the first six points of the second half to trim the lead to 11, but after a Chico State timeout, the Wildcats put the game away.
 
Calvin Geraci completed a four-point play, Briggs hit a free throw and then scored on the low block, and then Hamilton hit a triple for a quick 10-0 run that pushed their lead to 51-30 and the route was on.