The evening ended with lots of smiles and celebration. The Chico State men's basketball team saw its four-game winning streak go by the wayside with a 63-44 loss to Cal Poly Pomona, winner of nine in a row Saturday night at Acker Gym, but this night was about something bigger than the game.
Chico State's fans—a crucial cog in what makes up what is known around here as the Wildcat Family—once again proved that they are the biggest and best bunch in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. They donated well over 1,000 food and hygiene items (the official count might climb closer to 2,000 when the final numbers come in) and hundreds of dollars to Chico State's Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry, which provides supplemental food, quality meal access, and much more to support the basic needs of students.
Malik Duffy paced the Wildcats with nine points
and 11 rebounds.
"Once again our fans went above and beyond," Director of Athletics Anita Barker said. "We are proud to partner with the Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry and the amazing work they do for our students, and grateful to our fans for making that partnership so impactful."
Nearly 8,000 fans have walked through the doors of Acker Gym this season, and Chico State will once again lead the CCAA in attendance this season.
What they witnessed Saturday was perhaps the hottest team in the West Region playing some of the best defensive college basketball imaginable.
Cal Poly Pomona, which improved to 16-5 overall and14-5 in the CCAA, limited Chico State (9-10, 8-10) to just three made field goals in the first half and held the Wildcats to season lows in scoring, field-goal percentage (.278), made 3-pointers (3), and 3-point percentage (.150).
Chico State gave the home fans something to cheer about early in the second half, however. Malik Duffy and Isaiah Brooks buried 3s and Warren and Brooks scored in the paint during a 10-0 run that closed a gap that had grown as large as 17 to 36-29.
The Wildcats could not sustain that offensive attack, eventually falling back behind by double-digits. A late 7-0 push by Pomona put the game away.
Duffy finished with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Brooks chipped in nine points, and Spencer LaShells finished with eight points and six rebounds.
Dwight Ramos came off the bench to lead the Broncos with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting as they avenged an early-season loss to Chico State in Pomona.
The Wildcats will hit the road next week to face Cal State LA and Cal State Dominguez Hills before returning to Acker Gym to wrap up the regular season on Feb. 28 and March 2.
A berth in the postseason will require a strong finish. Chico State is currently in ninth place. The top eight will advance to the CCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are a game behind Cal State LA and Cal State San Bernardino in the loss column, and two back of Humboldt State and Cal State Dominguez Hills.
