POMONA - The Wildcats averted danger after a resilient Broncos team battled back from down eighteen points until the 'Cats shut them down in the final minutes with clutch baskets from the free throw line. With their first road win since January 6th, Chico State men's basketball maintains the chase for a top spot in the CCAA postseason tournament held in March.

Facing off against a Pomona squad that has been recording a low percentage of three-point attempts and a season that has looked less than usual, the Wildcats were making quick work of them in the early minutes of the contest.

Playing on the road in this conference can be taxing on teams; traveling across the state of California for two contests can make it difficult if you give the home team any chances to steal the win. The Wildcats have seen less success on the road than at home this season, dropping three of their four losses in Southern California.

Miles Daniels and Adam Afifi helped set the Wildcats off on the right foot in the first half, scoring early baskets to build their momentum. Daniels ended with fourteen points and four assists, scoring both field goals from three-point range and the other eight from the free-throw line. Afifi recorded another double-double on Thursday, scoring 16 points with 12 rebounds; many of those rebounds were crucial loose ball pickups that secured the win for his team.

The Wildcats built an eighteen-point lead over the Broncos in their gym, showcasing Coach Greg Clink's strong, defensive-minded coaching style that helped keep CPP out of the first half. 

A difference maker in the matchup was the 'Cats ability to score from the free throw line and beyond the arc, shooting 46 percent from long range and 68 percent from the foul line. Shooting under their season average from the line but collectively making 27 of 40 shots was a significant part of their thrilling win. 

Freshman Caden Harris played a big part in the team's forty-eight-point first half, scoring ten points while recording eight rebounds and five assists to fellow Wildcats. Harris scored all his points in the first half, shooting under 45 percent from the field.

A quick swing in momentum in the closing minutes of the second half was all the Broncos needed to put the 'Cats on their heels, stealing the lead for the first time with just under 4 minutes remaining.

After Joshua Hamilton and Kelvin Wright Jr. found themselves in foul trouble, Evan Oliver, tasked with taking control of the ball game coming off the bench, dealt with the pressure nicely. Oliver scored 17 points while sinking a crucial three-point basket with under 90 seconds left to regain the lead, propelling the 'Cats into their fifth straight win.

Closing their trip to the Inland Empire, Chico State will travel just a short distance to San Bernardino on Saturday to wrestle with the Coyotes, hoping to come out on top and take a solo second-place spot in the CCAA standings.