HAYWARD, Calif. - The Chico State Wildcats concluded their first trip to the Bay Area with a 75-66 win over Cal State East Bay, a crucial contest against the only undefeated conference opponent. Evan Oliver recorded a double-double in the nine-point win, while freshman Caden Harris scored 20 points against the Pioneers.
Following their win over the Gators on Thursday, the Wildcats were on top of their rebounding when it counted, recording 50 rebounds. Caden Harris and Oliver both grabbed eight defensive rebounds and led their team.
In another impressive showing, Chico State refused to give up the lead a single team against the Pioneers, holding onto the advantage from the tip. The Wildcats showcased one of their most impressive shooting performances this season, shooting over 40 percent from the field and three-point range.
It was a poor scoring night on Thursday for Seattle native Caden Harris, but it was a different story against East Bay as he scored a career-high 20 points. Shooting 50 percent from the field and putting on a clinic from beyond the arc, adding five crucial three-pointers to his point tally—scoring four of his five in the second half to maintain their leading margin.
Sophomore Lewis Grady from East Bay had an impressive night despite the Wildcats' defense holding the Pioneers to only three baskets from three-point land, scoring 22 points and eleven of twelve shots.
Evan Oliver recorded his fourth double-digit points night, coming off the bench and scoring 16 points with ten rebounds, recording his first double-double stat line of the season and shooting 100 percent from the free throw line.
Oliver has been a leader in court; his speed and defense have boosted the Wildcats on both ends of the court.
Bouncing back from poor shooting performances against San Francisco State, Jojo Murphy and Josh Hamilton added fifteen points each to the Wildcats total.
All five Chico State starters recorded over two assists Saturday night with a team total of twelve.
Chico State now improves to 10-2 overall and 5-2 in CCAA play, jumping into a tie for third in the conference standings with Dominguez Hills and San Bernardino. The Wildcats will be back playing in front of their home crowd next Thursday when Stanislaus State visits for another CCAA contest, tip-off is at 7:30 pm.
