The fans who were at Acker Gym Thursday night will tell you—even though it's been less than a month since the season started, the game between the Chico State and Cal State LA men's basketball teams was a hard-fought, physical battle that had all the gritty earmarks of a classic playoff contest. Both the Wildcats and Golden Eagles squandered big leads as the momentum shifted throughout the evening, but Cal State LA was able to pull ahead late and withstand a ferocious 'Cats rally to prevail 67-65 at Acker Gym.
Thursday's loss dropped Chico State to 2-4 on the season and 1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Cal State LA evened its overall record at 4-4 and improved to 1-1 in conference play.
Five Wildcats finished the night with double digits in the points column. Jojo Murphy led the way with 19 points while grabbing eight rebounds, with Brennan Wheeler scoring 13. Evan Oliver contributed 12 points to the 'Cats' offensive attack, while Miles Daniels and Justin Vigil chipped in with 10 points apiece. It wasn't enough to earn the "W," though, as Chico State shot just 37.7 percent from the field.
Both teams started slowly in the first half, but five minutes into the contest Cal State LA was sporting a 10-4 lead. The Golden Eagles built their advantage up to eight before Wheeler drained a pair of 3-pointers and Oliver sank two free throws to pull the Wildcats to within four at intermission, with Cal State LA holding on to a 27-23 lead.
Chico State made some successful halftime adjustments, because the Wildcats looked like a different team to start the second half. While holding the Golden Eagles to just six points in the first six minutes of the period, the 'Cats raced out in front 43-33 on the strength of 3-pointers by Vigil, Oliver, and Murphy, and buckets from Wheeler, Vigil, and Murphy. Cal State LA responded by going on a 17-2 run to regain the lead at 50-45.
The Wildcats got the offense cookin' again, with Daniels hitting two field goals and a free throw to tie the score. After Cal State LA briefly retook the lead, a jumper by Murphy and a 3-pointer by Oliver put the Wildcats back on top 55-54. The 'Cats were up a deuce with 4:13 to play before the Golden Eagles went on a 10-2 run to take a 66-60 lead with just 40 seconds remaining. Chico State answered with a three-point play by Vigil and a Murphy jumper to trim the deficit to one with 18 ticks left on the clock.
Cal State LA kept the 'Cats in the game by missing five of six free throws in the waning seconds, giving Chico State a chance, but a Murphy layup and a desperation 3-pointer by Murphy at the buzzer were both off the mark, allowing the Golden Eagles to hang on and come away with the 67-65 victory.
Chico State looks to get back on the winning track Saturday afternoon when the Wildcats host the Cougars of Cal State San Marcos (2-4, 2-0 CCAA). Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.
