Men's Basketball | 1/2/2024 1:26:00 PM

CHICO, Calif. - The Chico State Men's Basketball team received great news to start the New Year, landing in No.20 on the National Basketball Coaches Association poll following their 69-58 win over Cal Poly Humboldt on Sunday. The Wildcats improved to 3-2 in the conference and 8-2 overall, holding strong at fifth in the CCAA standings, tied with CSUSM.

The Wildcats have already shown more tremendous success compared to last year at this time, where they were 5-6 to start 2023.

In the team's first game back after the holidays, the Lumberjacks proved to be the proper challenge to prepare the 'Cats for the remainder of the 2023-24 season, putting pressure on the home side on the boards from the jump. Despite the tough night rebounding, the lead never changed throughout the contest in favor of the Wildcats, leading by twenty at one point in the second half.

Evan Oliver delivered an outstanding performance off the bench for the Cats, putting together 23 points and accounting for a third of their total points. The junior guard was quick to score when he subbed in, pushing the ball up the court at any chance he could. 

Adam Afifi added eleven points of his own, recording three blocks against Lumberjacks in the conference win.

The Wildcats were unselfish with the ball, with seven players picking up assists, Daniel Miles leading his team with four assists alone.

A consistent theme this season is the Wildcat's ability to force turnovers and convert these into quick points, showcasing the team's speed and punishing play style. Against the Jacks, Chico State scored 18 points from turnovers, which helped maintain the score's significant margin throughout the entirety of the content.

After their solo home game, they will travel to the Bay Area for a crucial road trip against San Francisco State and the current CCAA Conference leaders, Cal State East Bay Pioneers. CSUEB is the only team in the CCAA to hold a flawless conference schedule at 5-0 with wins over CSU San Bernardino and PacWest powerhouse Point Loma.

They will begin their short trip against the Gators on Thursday; tip-off is at 7:30 pm; tune in on the CCAA Network or listen to Mike Baca on KPAY Sports 1290.