SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – On Thursday night, the Chico State men's basketball team secured a spot in the CCAA Tournament with a dominant 82-65 victory over San Francisco State. A scorching 55-38 first half set the tone, while Caden Harris led the charge with a career-high 22 points.

With the win, the Wildcats punched their ticket to the 2025 CCAA Tournament, hosted by Cal State San Marcos. While their exact seeding remains uncertain, they remain in contention for a coveted first-round bye. The victory improves Chico State's record to 14-3 in conference play and 18-5 overall, while the Gators drop to 7-9 in the CCAA and 9-13 overall.

Harris had a career night, posting 22 points, seven rebounds, and a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc. JoJo Murphy notched his 13th 20-point game of the season, keeping his place as the conference's top scorer. Trae Taylor added 17 points, including a game-high nine free throws.

The game remained tight early, with the Wildcats holding just a two-point edge with over seven minutes left in the first half. A Murphy layup sparked a 26-11 run to close out the half, giving Chico State a comfortable cushion. The Wildcats maintained control in the second half, trading baskets to secure the win.

Three-point shooting proved to be the difference, particularly in the first half. Chico State caught fire from deep, hitting 11-of-14 from beyond the arc before halftime and finishing the game at 52%. Meanwhile, their defense held the Gators to just 7-of-24 shooting from three-point range.

The Wildcats now turn their attention to Cal State East Bay as they continue their longest road trip of the season. Chico State cruised past the Pioneers in their first matchup, but the Pioneers, currently in fifth place in the CCAA, is battling for a higher seed in a tightly contested conference race.

Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, at Pioneer Gym.