CHICO FLIRTS WITH IGNOMINIOUS RECORD IN LOSS TO YELLOW JACKETS
 

     The Chico State men's basketball team was giving the basketball away like they were giving out Halloween candy on Saturday afternoon in Ellensburg, Washington dropping a 62-56 decision to Montana State Billings.

     Chico committed 29 turnovers en route to dropping their second game in as many days at the season opening Division-II Tip Off Classic. The most turnovers in the CCAA era for Chico State was 31 in an 86-82 loss to Stanislaus in November of 2007.

     Chico could not overcome a stretch bridging the 1st and 2nd halves where they scored two points 11-minute-and-50-second stretch. Even with the Wildcats propensity to turn the ball over they kept it close by playing well in the half-court defensively, bodying up and getting physical with the taller YellowJackets. 
     Chico's Robel Zemmo provided a spark off the bench scoring 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Dominican University transfer Michael Wilson, who scored 23 against Central Washington on Friday night, didn't attempt a shot until his 15th minute on the floor. He finished with 9 points in 26 minutes.
     For the second straight night Chico struggled with ball pressure and the decision making out of traps. Something they will see for the rest of the season until they fix it. Chico struggled shooting the ball going 4-for-24 from three point range.

     Cortevious Taylor who scored only two points on one shot attempt against Central scored 8 points and grabbed 5 boards in 14 minutes of play.

     Chico will wrap up play in Ellensburg on Sunday night when they take on Western Washington. The Vikings fell to CCAA foe San Bernardino 85-82 in a thriller on Friday night. Western will play Central Washington on Saturday afternoon. 
     You can hear the Wildcats take on the Vikings on Sunday at 7pm on KpaySports 1290 & 102.9 FM as well as the KpaySports app.