ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Chico State men's basketball team opened the 2026-27 season with a 78-69 loss at Central Washington on Friday to begin the host's D2 Tip-Off Classic.
The Wildcats outscored Central Washington 41-37 in the second half but could not overcome a 41-28 halftime deficit.
The Wildcats finished with 29 rebounds to Central Washington's 31 and 11 turnovers to 10. Central Washington had 18 assists to Chico State's 10 and made 11 3-pointers compared with six for the Wildcats. The 'Cats attempted 20 free throws to Central Washington's 12.
Michael Wilson finished with 23 points, making eight field goals and five 3-pointers, and added four rebounds. Donjae Lindsey scored 11 points with three rebounds, two assists and a steal. Isaiah Brewington converted all six of his free throws and collected three rebounds.
Jalen Childs scored 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting and made three 3-pointers for Central Washington. Chaydon Stone added 15 points, hit three 3-pointers and recorded two steals. Michael Ojo posted three blocks and two steals. Garrett Marrs collected seven rebounds and added seven points with three assists.
Stone hit two 3-pointers in the first 31 seconds to put the Wildcats behind 6-0, but Wilson and Tyler Jones each made a 3-pointer to tie it 6-6 at 18:06. Central Washington moved back in front with 3-pointers from Childs, Elijah Williams, Marrs and Bradley Swillie as the lead reached 25-14. Wilson scored five straight Chico State points to cut it to 25-19, but Central Washington followed with baskets from Lucius Fox, Childs, Jamari Harris and Stone to push the margin to 34-19. Robel Zemmo, Lindsey and Wilson added late scoring for the 'Cats, including Lindsey's transition layup in the final minute, but Central Washington led 41-28 at halftime.
After Central Washington pushed the score to 45-30 early in the second half, Chico State scored seven straight on a Blake Lander layup, a Wilson 3-pointer and a Braddock Kjellesvig layup to get to 45-37. Central Washington answered with a Childs 3-pointer and later built the margin back to 59-45, while the Wildcats got free throws from Brewington and a Jones free throw before Kjellesvig and Lindsey scored inside. Wilson's 3-pointer brought Chico State to 66-55 with 6:00 left, but Central Washington scored the next five points and led 71-55 before Lindsey's steal and fast-break layup. The 'Cats got late baskets from Tommy Williams, Wilson and Will Corbett, but Central Washington made five free throws in the final 35 seconds to finish the 78-69 win.
Up next, the Wildcats return to Nicholson Arena to face Montana State Billings in day 2 of the D2 Tip-Off Classic on Saturday at 11 a.m.
