CHICO, Calif. - The Wildcats secure their first win of the 2023-24 with a 77-70 over Azusa Pacific in their first game of the CCAA/GNAC/PacWest Challenge in front of a home crowd. The projected CCAA Conference winners toppled the 2022-23 PacWest Conference Champs in the season's first game.

Freshman Caden Harris had an intense opening night with the 'Cats, dropping 11 points playing 32 minutes in his debut. Junior Evan Oliver came off the bench and made an impact, adding 12 points to the home team's score and driving at the APU basket with force.

Kelvin Wright Jr. and Miles Daniels added 21 points collectively—Daniels was flawless from the field, 5 for 5 and 1 for one from the three-point line.

Chico State was just under fifty percent in shooting at 49 percent, sinking 27 field goals.

Pulling ahead with 12 minutes remaining, the Wildcats scored ten straight baskets to go up 55-45 with 9:45 remaining in the game; they were able to hold onto the lead against a team that kept pushing the ball up the court.

Friday's crossover matchup was a tight scoreline at halftime, with the 'Cats going into the half with a single-point advantage but pulled away halfway into the second half. 

What made the difference was the Wildcat's ability to convert turnovers into points, with twelve points off turnovers in the second half. The bench is making a huge difference, giving Chico the boost with 32 points from players stepping in.

The Wildcats will face off against Seattle Pacific tomorrow at 7:30 pm at Art Acker Gymnasium, the Falcons coming off a win against fellow CCAA member Cal Poly Pomona earlier in the day.