SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - A solid first half helps keep the Wildcats ahead of the Gators on the road in San Francisco, improving to 9-2 overall and 4-2 in CCAA play. Marking their third win in a row, they maintain their position in a tie for 5th place with San Marcos.

In a second consecutive game, the Wildcats controlled the early lead and held onto the advantage for the entire contest—holding the Gators to only 20 points in the first half and extending their lead by twenty at halftime.

The momentum was entirely with Chico State, but poor defense in the second half saw the deficit cut by the Gators, who outscored the Wildcats 42-27 in the second half. 

Evan Oliver was the Wildcats points leader for the second game in a row with 19 points from the field, subbing in and scoring 4 of 5 three-point attempts against the Gators. Shooting 50 percent from the field and the free throw line, Oliver has been a dominant force off the bench this season, leading the team in overall points with 136.

As the home side began to chip away at the substantial lead, pulling within eight, Oliver hit back-to-back three-pointers to keep the Gators at bay.

Senior Kelvin Wright Jr. was called on tonight to lead the team under the basket and performed well, scoring 15 points and recording two blocks. The veteran forward played 37 minutes against the Gators and sunk crucial free throws late in the game to secure the win.

San Francisco State stepped up their defense in the second half, holding the Wildcats to only 25 points and shooting over 50 percent from the field. Their improved defense in the last twenty minutes saw Chico State only shooting 30 percent from the field as opposed to 50 percent in the first half.

Miles Daniels played the season-high minutes of 31 on Thursday night, starting this third for the 'Cats of the season as a sophomore. Daniels added fourteen to Chico's total, tallying three steals and five rebounds. He shot over 50 percent from the field, struggling to score in the first half but sinking crucial baskets when needed.

Maintaining their spot in the CCAA standings, the No.20 Chico State Wildcats will travel just a short way to Fremont to matchup against the only flawless team in conference play, Cal State East Bay, on Saturday. 

The Pioneers will be a tough but crucial challenge for the Wildcats and would give them a solid boost in the conference and regional rankings.