SEASIDE—The Chico State men's basketball team was looking to shake off the sting of last weekend's triple-overtime loss to Cal State San Bernardino and open a four-game road swing with some positive results Thursday night against Cal State Monterey Bay. The host Otters, however, played arguably their best 40 minutes of the season, shooting a blistering 52 percent from 3-point range and dominating the 'Cats on the boards 46-25 to come away with an 85-66 win at The Kelp Bed in Seaside.
Chico State's second straight loss dropped the Wildcats to 8-8 on the season and 6-5 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), though the 'Cats remain alone in fifth place in the conference standings. Cal State Monterey Bay improved to 5-10 overall and 3-7 in conference play.
Evan Oliver was the high scorer for Chico State, posting 17 points, with Jojo Murphy contributing a dozen. Kelvin Wright Jr. came through with 10 points, while Joshua Hamilton chipped in with nine points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Levi Franklin of Cal State Monterey Bay led all scorers with 29 points on the night.
Murphy enjoyed the hot hand early in the first half, hitting a jumper and a pair of 3-pointers to give Chico State a 13-10 lead. Monterey Bay used a 7-2 run to go up by one, but a 3-ball by Oliver immediately put the Wildcats back in front. The 'Cats were still on top 20-19 when the Otters scored eight of the next nine points to grab a 27-21 lead. Four free throws by Joshua Hamilton pulled Chico State to within three with 6:27 remaining, but despite baskets by Murphy, Oliver, and Wright Jr., the hot-shooting Otters outscored the Wildcats 18-8 for the remainder of the half, building a double-digit advantage. At halftime, Monterey Bay's lead was 46-33.
The Otters maintained the momentum to begin the second half, pushing the advantage to 18. With Oliver hitting a jumper and Wright Jr. dropping in a hook shot plus a pair of free throws, the Wildcats whittled the deficit to a dozen, and suddenly had Monterey Bay back on its heels. But only briefly—with the score 56-44, the Otters ripped off a 15-2 run to balloon their lead to 71-46. The 'Cats would not to be able to rally, as Monterey Bay continued its hot shooting to go up 83-52 with 6:21 to play.
Chico State made some noise late, outscoring the Otters 14-2 down the stretch—Dylan Belquist hit a 3-pointer, Oliver converted a layup, two free throws and a three-point play, and Isaiah Holm dropped in a pair of field goals—but there was just too much ground to make up and too little time, and Monterey Bay easily cruised to the 85-66 victory.
Chico State will be in the heart of the Bay Area Saturday afternoon, taking on the Gators of San Francisco State (8-9, 4-7 CCAA). The game is slated to get underway at 3 p.m.
