SAN MARCOS, Calif. - A second-half push from the Cougars was too harsh to quell after the Wildcats lost their first road game of the season, splitting the conference road trip 1-1. Jojo Murphy was the only Wildcat to score in the double digits Saturday evening with 13 points.

The Wildcats held the lead for most of the game, holding a two-point lead heading into the halftime break. However, the Cougars' defense started to force the Wildcats into low-percentage shooting, and a potent offense pushed them out ahead.

Both teams struggled to score from the field, with neither team recording over 35 percent from the field. The Wildcats were only successful from beyond the arc three times, shooting 3 for 20 from three-point range.

Murphy led the Wildcats in scoring with 13 points and nine rebounds, scoring most of his points within the game's first five minutes. 

Behind a strong starting lineup, the Cougars were able to have four of their five starters score in double digits and impeccable 90-percent free throw shooting that widened the gap in the score.

Chico State's bench was the offensive leader for the Wildcats, accounting for 19 of their fifty-three points, outscoring the home team's bench 19-3. Isaiah Kerr scored 8 points in 3-for-4 shooting from the field, adding two points from the line to his scoreline.

After the split weekend, the Cats sit in 5th place at 2-2 in the CCAA standings.

The Wildcats will return home on December 19th for a non-conference matchup against Simpson in Art Acker before the holiday break before returning for a New Year's Eve conference matchup against Cal Poly Humboldt.