CHICO — Even in defeat Sunday, the young Stanislaus State men's basketball team continued to show growth.
 
The Warriors kicked off 2022 by playing even with No. 5/4 Chico State on the road for 37 minutes, turning in a much stronger performance than the teams' first meeting on Nov. 27 in Turlock, as the Wildcats pulled away late to earn a 61-55 California Collegiate Athletic Association win at Art Acker Gymnasium.
 
The Warriors (4-7, 1-5 CCAA) led the No. 5/4 Wildcats (10-0, 6-0 CCAA) at halftime, 26-22, a stark contrast to the torrid first half they allowed in November, when the Wildcats scored 41 points in 20 minutes and led, 41-13, at the break. Stan State outshot Chico State 40.7% to 29.0% in the first half and did not allow a single free-throw attempt. The Warriors outrebounded the Wildcats, 39-35, in the game, and that was without a double-digit rebounder.
 
But the undefeated and nationally ranked Wildcats would not be tamed for too long. They charged out of the gate in the second half, scoring 39 points on 46.7% shooting. It still took them more than 10 minutes to regain their first lead since the 3:46 mark of the first half, and it wasn't until Isaiah Brooks' 3-pointer with 2:47 left in the game that finally put them up for good.
 
Matt Bender's layup at 3:17 tied the game at 55-55, but that was the last basket Stanislaus State would make. Chico State scored six unanswered points in the game's final three minutes. Stanislaus State went 0 for 5 in that stretch, including missing a potential game-tying 3-pointer and two shots on one possession after an offensive rebound.
 
Jeremiah Jones led Stan State with 13 points off the bench. He added two rebounds, two steals and an assist in 19 minutes of floor time. Luis Salgado led Stanislaus State's starters with 12 points, including going 3 for 4 from beyond the arc. Bender barely missed a double-double with eight points and nine rebounds. Seven different Warriors scored at least two points and had at least two rebounds.
 
Chico State was also led by a bench player, with Colby Orr scoring 19 points thanks in part to four treys. Malik Duffy turned in a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.
 
The Warriors continue their year-opening CCAA road trip next weekend when they face Cal State Dominguez Hills on Thursday and Cal State East Bay on Saturday. Fans can find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.