SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - It was a cold night in The Bay for the Chico State men's basketball team as they dropped their second game on the road 81-105 against the Urban Knights. ARTU was having a night of non-stop offensive, with the Wildcats battling back but unable to shrink the margin. 

Academy of Art is heading into the 2024-25 season ranked 2nd in the PacWest Preseason Polls, returning seven players, including three starters, to this year's squad.

Jojo Murphy led the year's third straight 20-point game, and freshman Cortevious Taylor scored a solid personal high with 17 points in his third collegiate game. The first year from San Francisco shot six for ten from the field, the best shooting performance of the night from the 'Cats.

ARTU broke away with an early lead in the first half, gaining a 19-point advantage with two minutes left in the opening half, an advantage the 'Cats couldn't catch. The Urban Knights were lights out in their home opener, shooting an impressive 62 percent. 

The Wildcats struggled to get shots to sink from the field, shooting 38 percent from field goal range and only 28 percent from beyond the three-point line.

Below the basket, Chico State had a troubling time stopping the Urban Knights from scoring, accounting for 58 of the home team's points in the paint.

Miles Daniels added 12 points while Isaiah Kerr made a ten-point contribution to the Wildcats total. 

The Wildcats debut at home this Monday, November 18th, against PacWest opponent Hawai'i Pacific University. Tip-off for the Chico State men's basketball home opener is at 7 pm at Art Acker Gym.