LOS ANGELES—On the attack from the opening tip, the Chico State men's basketball team tore through Cal State LA 82-65 to start its crucial final road trip of the regular season Thursday. Isaiah Brooks was on the attack, scoring 12 early points. Malik Duffy was on the attack, scoring 10 first-half points. Joshua Hamilton was on the attack, scoring seven early points. The vaunted Chico State defense was on the attack, forcing nine first-half turnovers.
The Wildcats will now travel south to Cal State San Marcos to face the Cougars Saturday afternoon in an affair that will determine which team enters the final weekend of the season in control of one of the California Collegiate Athletic Association's top-two places. Cal State San Marcos beat the Wildcats 87-85 in overtime earlier this season in Chico.
Chico State was not looking past Cal State LA to Saturday's game, however. That was apparent right from the start. They took an early lead and pulled away thanks to an 8-0 push to end the first half and another to start the second stanza. They attacked the paint relentlessly, namely Brooks, Hamilton, and Colby Orr. And they defended the paint just as successfully, holding the league's third-leading scoring team to 12 points beneath their season average.
Duffy led all players with 21 points on just nine shots and chipped in six rebounds and two steals. Brooks was nearly as efficient, finishing with 17 points on nine shots and dishing out four assists. Hamilton had an impressive all-around effort with 12 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Evan Oliver, Kaleb Carter, Colby Orr, and Brennan Wheeler were among the Wildcats who made important contributions off the bench.
Earlier in the day, Kevin Warren enjoyed a big personal win, claiming one of the West Region's five coveted CoSIDA Academic All-District awards.
The Wildcats improved to 16-3 overall and 12-3 in the CCAA, having won 9 of 10 away from home, while Cal State LA fell to 6-12 and 3-9. They trail league-leading Cal State San Bernardino by one game and lead Cal State San Marcos by a half game following Thursday's action. Cal State Monterey Bay, which was tied for second with the Wildcats heading into play Thursday night, slipped into fourth place with a loss at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Chico State will return home following Saturday's showdown in San Marcos to wrap up the regular season at Acker Gym against Cal State Dominguez Hills Thursday night and Cal State East Bay Saturday. Prior to that game, Chico State seniors Joshua Curls, Colby Orr, Kevin Warren, Malik Duffy, and Isaiah Brooks will be celebrated.
Every Chico State men's basketball is broadcast locally on AM-1290 KPAY. Links to streaming audio, video on the CCAA Network (with audio for home games), and live stats are available at
www.ChicoWildcats.com in the calendar section of the homepage and on the men's basketball schedule page.
Fans planning to attend Chico State road or home games or the CCAA Tournament should familiarize themselves with respective campus health and safety protocols via the links below:
Cal State San Marcos Attendance Policy
Chico State Attendance Policy
