STOCKTON – Following weeks of practices, scrimmages and intersquad games, the 2012-13 edition of the Chico State men’s basketball team finally got to face an actual opponent, with the Wildcats taking on Division I University of Pacific in exhibition play Sunday at Spanos Center in Stockton. Those looking for a lopsided contest between a Big West Conference team and one from the D-II California Collegiate Athletic Association were no doubt disappointed, as the ’Cats battled for the full 40 minutes before falling to the Tigers 66-60.
Sean Park was the lone Wildcat in double figures Sunday, hitting six of 11 from the field and finishing with 14 points. Rashad Parker and James Staniland each had eight points, while Jason Conrad contributed four points, eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Chico State hit 9-of-30 from 3-point range, while committing just seven turnovers on the night.
Chico State’s defensive efforts were solid in the first half – the Wildcats forced eight Tiger turnovers, helping the Wildcats jump out to a 9-4 lead, as Pacific misfired early and often from behind the 3-point line. The Tigers were finally able to right the ship and went on a 10-1 run to go out in front 14-10. Damario Sims and Amir Carraway each connected on a pair of free throws to tie the game, but then the ’Cats offense went cold, missing 13 of 14 shots to let Pacific build a 21-16 advantage.
With about three minutes left in the half, the Wildcats found their stroke, as a Sam Hicks hook shot and a 3-pointer by Staniland knotted up the contest at 21-apiece. Pacific went back in front 26-21, but a late Parker trey and a jumper by Nate Appel cut the deficit to two; the Tigers registered the final bucket of the half and went into intermission with a 30-26 lead.
The second 20 minutes saw a lot more offense from both teams. Pacific scored eight of the period’s first 11 points to go 38-29, but instead of going down by double digits, Chico State’s offense quickly answered – a Parker jumper and a 3-pointer by Jordan Semple highlighted a 7-0 run to pull to Wildcats to within a duece. Four times the ’Cats cut the deficit to one – twice on Spencer Moyer 3-pointers – and with eight minutes remaining, Chico State had two chances to take the lead. While Pacific’s defense kept the Wildcats at bay, the Tigers used a 13-2 run to go up 62-50.
The Wildcats made one last charge, using two Appel free throws, a Conrad bucket and a 3-pointer by Parker to pull to within 62-57. A 3-pointer by Park with 10 seconds left made it a four-point game, but two late Pacific free throws iced it for the Tigers, who would win by a final of 66-60.
BOX SCORE
The Wildcats travel to Tucson Tuesday for their final preseason exhibition, and it will be a major test, as Chico State faces Division I powerhouse Arizona, ranked No. 12 in the nation and favored to win the Pacific 12 Conference title this season. The opening tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Pacific time; Mike Baca will provide the play-by-play locally on Fox Sports Radio 101.7 FM. The broadcast is also available online through the Wildcat Athletics website.
The game will also be available in a free on-line video stream courtesy of Pac-12 Network. No login is required.
CLICK HERE for Tuesday’s live Chico State-Arizona men’s basketball broadcast
CLICK HERE for live internet video streaming of the game
