CARSON—Sophomore point guard Isaiah Brooks scored a career-high 21 points and Kevin Warren chipped in 16, but the Chico State men's basketball team got out-shot in the second half in falling to Cal State Dominguez Hills 73-64 Saturday night in the Torodome in Carson.
 
The Wildcats led 37-36 with 18:17 to play after Warren's driving basket, but missed 20 of 28 shots after that. The Toros pulled away and pulled even with San Francisco State for fourth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) standings with their third straight win.
 
Chico State dropped into a tie with Stanislaus State for ninth place with in the CCAA standings and now must have everything break its way to reach the postseason for the 10^th season in a row.
 
Things are unofficial until announced by the CCAA office, but it appears the Wildcats need the following to make the playoffs in the coming final week of the regular season: two home wins (against San Francisco State Thursday and Sonoma State Saturday); two Humboldt State losses (against Sonoma State Thursday and San Francisco State Saturday); and Cal State East Bay to finish ahead of UC San Diego in the final standings.
 
After the Toros took control with a 10-0 run following Warren's bucket, the Chico State bench helped keep the 'Cats within striking distance. Josh Lavergne hit a 3-pointer and Joshua Curls a jumper, and after a Toros basket, Curls fed Lavergne for another triple that trimmed the lead to 48-45.
 
Over the next seven and a half minutes, however, the Wildcats made just one field goal (a Brooks layup) and two free throws, as Cal State Dominguez Hills built an 11-point lead.
 
Brooks, who scored 10 straight Chico State points during one second-half stretch, kept hope alive with a 3-pointer and three-point play, trimming the lead to seven. But the Wildcats missed five of their next seven shots and could get no closer.
 
The game was tight throughout the first half. Marvin Timothy led the way for Chico State with nine points and six rebounds prior to intermission. The senior finished with nine points, 10 rebounds, and three blocked shots.
 
The Wildcats' final two regular season games will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1290 AM and 102.9 FM KPAY. Prior to Saturday's game, the Wildcats' seniors—Timothy, Keith Datu, and Nate Ambrosini—will be celebrated during Senior Night festivities.