CHICO, Calif. — Chico State took a big step towards winning the CCAA regular season title by defeating visiting Cal State Monterey Bay 76–66 Friday night in Acker Gym.

CSUMB (13–14, 9–12 CCAA) stayed close for much of the first half, but Chico (20–6, 17–4) pulled away late in the period then never let the Otters get close over the final 20 minutes.

CSUMB got 13 points apiece from Alex Fertig (Fresno/Buchanan HS) and Isaiah Smith (Vancouver, Wash./Columbia River HS). For Smith, it marked his third consecutive game scoring in double figures, the first time in his collegiate career he has accomplished that feat.

Junior guard Patrick Lefiti (Bay Point/Los Medanos College) passed six assists.

The Otters will look to post their first .500 record since the 2008–09 season when they close 2014–15 Saturday at Cal State Stanislaus. The Otters defeated the Warriors 80–60 when they met last month in The Kelp Bed.