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Territorial Dispatch

Chico State Tops Cal State LA

Jan 28, 2025 01:49PM ● By California State University Chico News Release

The Chico State men's basketball team delivered a stellar offensive performance on Jan. 25, defeating Cal State LA 95-86. Photo by Jason Halley, California State University Chico


CHICO, CA (MPG) - The Chico State men's basketball team delivered a stellar offensive performance on Jan. 25, securing a 95-86 win over a resilient Golden Eagles side. The Wildcats posted their second highest scoring total of the season, with all five starters reaching double figures, highlighted by JoJo Murphy's season-high 31 points.   

With the win, the Wildcats are back in the win column, improving to 15-3 overall and 11-1 in conference play. Meanwhile, Cal State LA drops to 7-11 on the season and 5-7 in CCAA action. With a loss in Humboldt for the Toros, Chico State climbs back into a head-to-head tie for the top of the conference with Cal State Dominguez Hills as they reach the halfway mark of the season.

Murphy led the Wildcats with a season-high 31 points and eight assists, while Trae Taylor delivered an incredibly efficient performance, scoring 16 points on a flawless eight for eight shooting night.  

Miles Daniels and Caden Harris each contributed 14 points, with Harris adding nine rebounds and Daniels recording six assists.  

Isaiah Kerr delivered a crucial 15 points, including 11 in the second half of this tightly contested game.  

It was a competitive first half, with both sides connecting on seven of their first 10 shots. Daniels started strong, hitting his first four attempts, while Murphy poured in 19 points before the break. However, the Golden Eagles stayed within reach, fueled by senior guard Dominic Escobar's impressive 18 first-half points.  

Chico State shot an impressive 69 percent from the field in the first half and maintained strong efficiency throughout, finishing the game with a field goal percentage of 61.4 percent. 

The Wildcats came out firing in the second half, building a 15-point lead by the 11:51 mark. Just as it seems they might pull away, the Golden Eagles mounted a steady comeback, trimming the lead to just four with four minutes remaining.  

The game remained back-and-forth until a pivotal block by Taylor at the 1:34 mark, which set up a dagger three-pointer from Kerr to extend the lead to eight, putting the game out of Cal State LA's reach.  

The Wildcats will hit the road for their next two games, starting with a visit to third-place Cal State San Bernardino. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 30, after press time.