CHICO – The Chico State men’s basketball team not only racked up a victory Saturday, but got the rare opportunity to see everyone on the roster play and score as the Wildcats downed the visiting Pacific Union Pioneers 76-39 at Acker Gym. All 15 Chico State players saw at least 10 minutes of action, with no one playing more than 17 minutes as the ’Cats improved to 3-0 on the season.

By limiting Pacific Union to 39 points Saturday, Chico State achieved a feat no other Wildcat men’s basketball team has accomplished since the 1948-49 season: holding opponents to under 40 points in back-to-back games.


It didn’t take long for Chico State to take control of the contest – with three minutes gone in the first half, Carraway buried a 3-pointer to snap a 5-5 tie and kick-start an 18-2 run to put the Wildcats up by a score of 23-7. Chico State continued to extend the lead, as Carraway and Mike Rosaroso knocked down 3-pointers, Barton scored a pair of layups, and Damario Sims and Sam Hicks each contributed a bucket to put the Wildcats up 41-15. Thanks to a Flores 3-pointer with three seconds left in the period, the ’Cats took a 44-18 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Conrad provided all of the Chico State offense for the first five minutes of the second half, scoring nine points, including a thunderous dunk to give the Wildcats a 53-22 lead. Hicks then scored five straight points, and following free throws by Barton and Josh Jackson, the ’Cats posted their biggest advantage at 61-22 with 11 minutes to play. Pacific Union could get no closer than 30 the rest of the way, and Chico State cruised to the 76-39 victory. 

BOX SCORE

Chico State returns to action Tuesday night, hosting Menlo College. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.