CHICO, Calif. – Chico State dropped a 70–54 CCAA decision to Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday afternoon (Feb. 28) at Art Acker Gym. The Wildcats move to 8–19 overall and 6–16 in conference play, while the Otters improve to 17–11 (12–10 CCAA).
How it Happened
Chico State came out with energy and shot efficiently early, connecting on four 3-pointers in the first half. Ned Joyce sparked the offense with three triples in the opening period, helping the Wildcats build a 20–16 lead midway through the half.
Monterey Bay responded behind its work on the glass and second-chance opportunities. The Otters grabbed 15 offensive rebounds in the game — nine in the first half — and closed the period on a 16–8 run to take a 36–28 advantage into halftime.
The Otters extended their lead early in the second half with an 18–7 surge, fueled by transition baskets and interior scoring. Monterey Bay finished with 30 points in the paint and 19 second-chance points, steadily building a double-digit cushion.
Chico State continued to battle and trimmed the deficit to 62–47 on a Max Walters 3-pointer with 3:52 to play, but Monterey Bay answered with timely buckets to keep the Wildcats at arm's length the rest of the way.
Standouts
Chico State (8–19, 6–16 CCAA)
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Ned Joyce: 15 points (3-for-4 3FG), 5 rebounds, 3 steals
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Jeremiah Dargan: 11 points, 3 rebounds
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Robel Zemmo: 8 points
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Max Walters: 6 points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists
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Isaiah Brewington: 5 points, 3 rebounds
Cal State Monterey Bay (17–11, 12–10 CCAA)
Team Numbers That Told the Story
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Rebounds: Monterey Bay 45, Chico State 34
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Offensive rebounds: Monterey Bay 15
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Field Goals: CSMB 27-for-69 (39.1%), Chico State 20-for-58 (34.5%)
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3-Point Shooting: CSMB 8-for-36, Chico State 7-for-18
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Turnovers: Chico State 11, CSMB 8
