TURLOCK, Calif. — Stan State men's basketball earned its first CCAA victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, edging Chico State 57–54 at Acker Gym. Malachi Johnson scored 16 points — including a huge go-ahead three with 20 seconds left — as the Warriors (5–3, 1–1 CCAA) relied on their defense and timely execution to secure the road win. Chico State dropped to 2–4 overall and 1–1 in conference play.

First Half
Stan State delivered one of its best halves of the season, shooting 71.4 percent (15-for-21) to build a 39–24 halftime lead. The Warriors controlled the paint early, scoring 20 first-half points inside. Johnson powered the surge with 13 points on a perfect 5-for-5 start, including a three-pointer and several strong finishes at the rim.

Mark Jones III and Jason Zimmer added important buckets to keep the offense rolling, while Donjae Lindsey contributed efficient scoring and a perfect 4-for-4 at the line. Stan State's defensive effort held Chico State to 29.6 percent shooting in the half, and the Warrior bench added 12 points on the way to a 21–14 bench scoring advantage for the game.

Second Half
Chico State chipped away throughout the second half behind offensive rebounds and timely perimeter shooting, eventually tying the game at 45–45 with 10:28 remaining. Stan State responded instantly, as Zimmer knocked down a three at 10:13, and Cibull followed with another from deep minutes later to keep the Warriors in front.

With the game tightening in the closing minute, Stan State came up with a huge defensive stop capped by a strong rebound from Jordan Smith. Off that possession, the Warriors executed cleanly. Leading 54–51, Jones III drove into the lane and kicked out to Johnson, who buried a clutch three with 20 seconds left to push the lead to 57–51. Chico State answered with a late three, but Stan State secured the final rebound to close out the win.
Stan State's defense set the tone throughout, holding Chico State to just 29 percent shooting from the field (18-for-61) and 28.6 percent from three (8-for-28).

Johnson finished with 16 points and 5 rebounds, while Jones III added 7 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists. Zimmer scored 8 points with 4 rebounds, and Cibull contributed 7 points, 2 steals and a big second-half three. Lindsey added 6 points on 4-for-4 free-throw shooting, and Daniel Ameyaw collected 5 rebounds.

Stan State shot 47.7 percent overall and outscored Chico State 26–12 in the paint and 21–14 in bench production.

Warrior Notables
• Malachi Johnson — 16 points, 5 rebounds, clutch late 3
• Mark Jones III — 7 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
• Jason Zimmer — 8 points, 4 rebounds
• Jason Cibull — 7 points, 2 steals
• Donjae Lindsey — 6 points, 4-for-4 FT
• Defense held Chico to 29% FG and 28.6% from three
• Bench scoring advantage: Stan State 21, Chico State 14
• Warriors improve to 5–3 overall and 1–1 CCAA play

Looking Ahead
Stan State returns home to begin a four-game homestand on Friday, December 19 at 7:30 p.m. against Cal State San Bernardino. The Warriors then host Cal Poly Pomona on December 21 at 3 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Arena, before continuing the stretch after the New Year by hosting Cal State Monterey Bay on January 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Cal State San Marcos on January 4 at 3 p.m.