BOX SCORE

CHICO STATE 87, CAL ST. MONTEREY BAY 80 FINAL BOX SCORE l Postgame Video

SCOREBOARD  1  2  OT  FINAL Chico State (18-5, 14-5 CCAA)  46  41  87 Cal St. Monterey Bay (9-13, 7-12 CCAA)  43  37  80

TOP PERFORMERS

OTTERS No. STAT No. WILDCATS Alex Fertig 20 Points 25 Rashad Parker Greg Anderson 8 Rebounds 7 Jordan Barton Alex Fertig 5 Assists 4 Giordano Estrada

SEASIDE, Calif. — The Cal State Monterey Bay men's basketball team saw its postseason hopes flicker, perhaps for the final time in 2014, with an 87–80 loss to Chico State Friday night in The Kelp Bed.

CSUMB dips to 9–13 overall and 7–12 in the CCAA with the setback while Chico all but secured its ticket to the CCAA Tournament by improving to 18–5 and 14–5.

The Otters got 20 points and a career-high five assists from sophomore guard Alex Fertig (Fresno/Buchanan HS), while Ryan Nitz (Rancho Cucamonga/Chaffey College) and Evan Zeller (Mission Viejo HS) chipped in 14 points apiece. Rashad Parker knocked down five 3–pointers as part of his game–high 25 points for Chico.

The close first half featured five ties and four lead changes before the Wildcats took a 46–43 lead into the lockerroom. The Otters were a bit lethargic coming out of the break, however, posting six empty possessions—including four turnovers—as Chico quickly expanded its lead to nine points.

The Otters trailed by as many as 12 points down the stretch before a late charge gave them a chance at victory. They pulled to within three twice in the final 2:18, the last time on a short Fertig jumper with 53 seconds remaining that made it 81–78 Chico.

Needing a stop to give themselves a chance to tie, the Otters played a solid defensive possession, but Parker knocked down a contested three from the far corner late in the shot clock to give Chico some separation.
The Wildcats made three free throws in the final 11 seconds to ice the game.

CSUMB will close the home portion of its 2013-–14 schedule Saturday night when it hosts Cal State Stanislaus at 7:30 p.m. in the nightcap of men's/women's doubleheader action. It will be the final home game for seniors Brandon Cole (Vallejo/Napa Valley College) and Kris Gallop (Vallejo/Los Medanos College).