ARCATA—With a lot on the line in this final week of the regular season, the Chico State men's basketball team left nothing to chance on the road against rival Humboldt State. The Wildcats led wire to wire and by as many as 32 on the way to an 86-57 win at Lumberjack Arena.
The Wildcats, ranked No. 4 in the West Region and in a three-way tie for second in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, improved to 21-6 overall and 16-6 in the CCAA by sweeping the season series against Humboldt State.
The Chico State-Humboldt State rivalry dates back to 1933 and Thursday marked their 207th meeting. The Wildcats have now won nine of the last 10 matchups and lead the all-time series 131-76.
Chico State will wrap up the regular season Saturday at Stanislaus State, looking to avenge a home loss to the Warriors back on November 21. They'll return home to host a first-round CCAA Tournament game Tuesday night. That game will tip off at 7:30 if the Chico State women also earn a first-round game, or 7 p.m. if the men are playing the lone home game of the night.
Season-ticket holders can secure their seats by calling the University Box Office at (530) 898-6333, or in person in Sierra Hall on the corner of 3rd and Chestnut streets. Box Office hours are Monday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The deadline to secure those seats is 6 p.m., Friday. Following the deadline, unclaimed seats will be part of the inventory that goes on sale to the general public beginning Monday. The first 300 students through the door on game night will be admitted free of charge.
That game will kick off the Wildcats' quest for a CCAA Tournament title and automatic NCAA Championship Tournament berth. The semifinals and final will take place at UC San Diego's RIMAC Arena in La Jolla.
But head coach Greg Clink is hoping his Wildcats will approach Saturday's game against Stanislaus State the same way it did Thursday night's contest, with their NCAA West Regional ranking on the line.
The Wildcats raced out to an 8-0 lead on a Justin Briggs jumper and back-to-back 3-pointers by Malik Duffy. They built the lead to 22 by halftime.
Duffy led a balanced attack (four 'Cats scored in double figures and eight scored six or more) by draining 7-of-10 shots and scoring 16 points. Kevin Warren scored 15 points and contributed seven rebounds, three steals, and three assists. Briggs finished with 11 points and eight boards and Joshua Hamilton had 10 points. Point guard Isaiah Brooks bagged seven assists and five rebounds without committing a turnover in his 24 minutes of work.
The official box score credited one of Duffy's 3-pointers to Briggs. That mistake will be fixed as soon as possible.
The Wildcats shot 48 percent from the floor and knocked down 11-of-26 threes. The Chico State bench outscored Humboldt State's 35-25 and the Wildcats outrebounded the Lumberjacks 44-30.
