BELMONT—The Chico State men's basketball team was looking to use its last game before the start of California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play to tighten up some key areas of their attack while smoothing off some of the rough edges of its pre-conference performances…not to mention evening its early season record with a "W." The Wildcats found out Saturday they still have plenty to work on, as Academy of Art handed Chico State a humbling 84-57 loss at Walter Gleason Gym in Belmont.
The 'Cats slipped to 1-3 with the Saturday afternoon setback, while Academy of Art—picked to finish third this season in the Pacific West Conference—avenged their loss to Chico State in last year's NCAA West Regional while raising its record to 4-0 overall.
Jojo Murphy turned out to be one of the few bright spots for the Wildcats Saturday, scoring a season-high 23 points on a scintillating 9-of-13 shooting. Evan Oliver contributed 17 points and a team-high five rebounds. Though he only scored four points, Joshua Hamilton dished out seven assists for the 'Cats.
Academy of Art led practically the whole way, snapping a 3-3 tie with a 6-0 run early in the first half to forge a lead it would not relinquish. An Oliver 3-pointer and a jumper by Murphy closed the gap at 11-10, but the Urban Knights slowly upped their advantage to double digits with 5:57 remaining in the period. Two buckets by Murphy and another Oliver trey helped the 'Cats briefly close the gap to eight, but when the horn sounded to end the half, Academy of Art led 34-24.
The second half was all Urban Knights, as they shot a blistering 20-for-30 from the field and put up 50 points in the final 20 minutes. Early in the period, though, it was still anyone's game, as Chico State used a Brennan Wheeler layup plus a jumper and 3-pointer by Oliver to pull to within 36-30. Academy of Art proceeded to go on a 25-7 run to widen its advantage to 24, and the Wildcats would get no closer than 20 the rest of the way. Hamilton connected on a 3-pointer and Murphy, Oliver, Wheeler, and Trae Taylor all contributed buckets down the stretch, but it far too little and far too late, as the Urban Knights cruised to the 84-57 victory.
The Wildcats begin CCAA play next Saturday afternoon when they host Stanislaus State at Acker Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
