If you're a fan of physical, defensive-dominated, smash mouth basketball, Acker Gym was definitely the place to be Saturday afternoon when the Chico State men's basketball team took on Cal State East Bay. In a contest that featured 49 total fouls and a combined 46 free throws, the Wildcats overcame an eight-point deficit midway through the second half by outscoring the Pioneers 27-16 down the stretch to register a 59-56 victory.
 
Saturday's win—Chico State's second straight at Acker Gym, raising the team's home record to 5-1 on the season—moved the Wildcats to 7-6 overall and into a tie for fourth place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) with a 5-3 conference record. Cal State East Bay lost its third straight to slip to 4-10 on the season and 2-6 in CCAA play.
 
Four Chico State starters posted double-digit scoring performances Saturday. Joshua Hamilton tallied a team-high 14 points, with Jojo Murphy adding a dozen on the day. Kelvin Wright Jr. delivered a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, while Justin Vigil contributed 11 points and six board for the victorious Wildcats.
 
Cal State East Bay scored the first five points of the contest and remained in front until a Miles Daniels basket and an Evan Oliver free throw gave Chico State a 10-9 lead. The Pioneers used a three-point play to briefly jump back on top, only to see the Wildcats answer with a 13-4 run—highlighted by a Brennan Wheeler 3-pointer and buckets by Murphy, Wright Jr., Vigil, and Hamilton—to put Chico State ahead 23-16. An Oliver trey late in the half pushed the 'Cats' advantage to nine, but a 3-pointer by East Bay in the final minute of the period trimmed Chico State's lead to 28-22 at halftime.
 
The Wildcats were still up by four three minutes into the second half, when suddenly the Chico State offense went ice cold, going nearly six-and-a-half minutes without scoring. East Bay took advantage, ripping off a 13-1 run to go back in front 40-32. The 'Cats slowly chipped away at the deficit, and thanks to several Pioneer fouls, Chico State did most of its damage at the free throw line, with Hamilton, Vigil, and Murphy each draining a pair of charity tosses. Wright Jr. brought the Wildcats to within one with a jumper in the paint, and with 6:55 to go Murphy knocked down a jump shot to put the Wildcats back on top 45-44.
 
The 'Cats would not relinquish the lead, once again thanks to clutch shooting at the free throw line. Vigil, Wright Jr., and Murphy each hit two foul shots, and combined with baskets by Murphy and Wright, Jr., Chico State led 57-52 with less than a minute remaining. The Pioneers scored two quick buckets to pull to within one, then forced a Wildcat turnover with 16 seconds left. With a chance to take the lead, East Bay missed a shot with five seconds left, then fouled Vigil on the rebound. The 'Cats' big man hit two free throws to ice the contest, giving Chico State the hard-fought 59-56 victory.
 
The Wildcats play the back end of their four-game home stand next week, beginning with conference rival Cal Poly Pomona (7-4, 4-3 CCAA) coming to Acker Gym Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 3 p.m., the 'Cats square off with conference-leading Cal State San Bernardino (10-1, 5-0 CCAA).