ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Chico State men's basketball team defeated Western Washington 90-82 on Sunday night to close the three-day D2 Tip-Off Classic hosted by Central Washington.
Cortevious Taylor scored 10 straight Chico State points during a stretch from late in the first half into the second half, helping the Wildcats move from a 35-30 deficit to a 45-42 lead.
It is the first of back-to-back meetings between the two teams. They will meet again in Acker Gym to open the Wildcats' home schedule on Nov. 13 at 5 p.m.
Chico State (1-2) made 11 3-pointers and held a 40-23 rebounding advantage, including 13 offensive boards, with a 19-8 edge in second-chance points. Western Washington (0-3) committed fewer turnovers, 14 to the Wildcats' 20, but Chico State matched the Vikings at the foul line and held the larger advantages on the glass and from 3-point range.
Taylor finished with 25 points, went 6 of 8 from 3-point range and collected seven rebounds. Robel Zemmo added 21 points, converted three 3-pointers and made 8 of 10 free throws. Braddock Kjellesvig posted nine points and 10 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Michael Wilson recorded six assists, three steals and five rebounds while adding seven points.
Jaxon Dubiel scored 31 points, made 10 of 18 shots, went 10 for 10 at the free-throw line and recorded five steals. Grant Kepley added 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. Trevor White finished with 14 points, four rebounds and two 3-pointers. Cruz Veliz collected three steals.
The Wildcats stayed within 35-34 in the first half behind an 18-13 rebounding edge, including 8-4 on the offensive glass, and a 13-8 advantage in second-chance points. The Vikings shot 14 of 29 to Chico State's 12 of 27 and held edges in paint points, 20-14, and points off turnovers, 10-5, while the Wildcats had a 12-2 bench-scoring advantage and three 3-pointers from Taylor.
The Wildcats outscored the Vikings 56-47 in the second half while shooting 15 of 27 from the field, 7 of 9 from 3-point range and 19 of 23 at the line. Chico State also held a 22-10 rebounding edge and got 27 bench points, while the Vikings went 21 of 29 on free throws. Zemmo, Donjae Lindsey and Taylor each hit a 3-pointer between 6:54 and 4:30 as the Wildcats made three from deep in that stretch.
