CHICO, Calif. — Chico State came up short Saturday at Art Acker Gym, dropping a 78–66 CCAA decision to Cal Poly Pomona on Jan. 24, 2026. The loss dropped the Wildcats to 6–11 (4–8 CCAA) while the Broncos improved to 10–8 (5–7 CCAA). Attendance was 644.
How it happened
Cal Poly Pomona raced out to a dominant first half and carried a 44–23 lead into the break after blowing the game open with a hot start.
Chico's comeback featured a mix of inside scoring and timely looks from long range. Cortevious Taylor buried multiple three-pointers and finished as the team's top scorer, while Max Walters created for others (five assists) and Braddock Kjellesvig did the dirty work on the glass. Chris Holley provided several momentum plays in the second half, but Pomona's efficient early offense and control of the boards kept Chico at arm's length. In the final minute the Broncos converted free throws to salt the game away and Chico's late attempts fell short.
Chico State fought back in the second half — outscoring the Broncos 43–34 after intermission — but the first-half deficit proved too large to erase. The Wildcats shooting improving drastically from the field from 28-percent to just over 51-percent in the closing half, but the Broncos' momentum from their dominant opening twenty-minutes matched the 'Cats scoring runs.
The Wildcats found themselves in foul trouble early after the halftime break, with over ten-minutes remaining and pushing the visitors into the bonus. Ultimately, the Broncos converted 17-of-22 free throws in the second half to maintain their substantial lead over the 'Cats.
Standouts
Chico State (6–11, 4–8 CCAA)
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Cortevious Taylor — 17 points, 4 rebounds, 3-of-9 from 3.
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Chris Holley — 15 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists (7-of-11 FG).
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Max Walters — 12 points, 5 assists, played all 38 minutes.
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Braddock Kjellesvig — 10 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists.
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Ned Joyce — 6 points, 6 rebounds.
Team numbers that told the story
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Shooting: Chico State 27–67 (40.3%), Cal Poly Pomona 26–50 (52.0%).
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3-Point: Chico State 5–27 (18.5%), Pomona 8–22 (36.4%).
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Free throws: Chico State 7–11 (63.6%), Pomona 18–23 (78.3%).
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Rebounds: Chico State 23, Pomona 34.
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Turnovers: Chico State 2, Pomona 11.
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Points in the paint: Chico State 38, Pomona 28.
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Fast-break points: Chico State 8, Pomona 10.
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Points off turnovers: Chico State 11, Pomona 4.
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Bench points: Chico State 27, Pomona 23.