The Chico State men’s basketball team takes another tough loss at home, falling to the Cal State East Bay Pioneers 73-47. 

The win for the Pioneers secured them the CCAA league title and kept their undefeated season alive. 

The first half was very competitive and left the Wildcats only down by two at halftime with a score of 32-30. 

However, in the second half, the offense was unable to keep their momentum from the first half. Senior guard Chris Holley was the only player to score in double figures for the ’Cats.

Despite the loss, junior guard Robel Zemmo feels that there are still positives to be taken from the first half of the game. 

“It let us know what we already believed before the game,” Zemmo said. “We can play with anybody and when we play the right way, good things happen.”

With junior forward Isaiah Brewington in foul trouble for a good portion of the game, sophomore forward Cortevious “Red” Taylor provided a crucial spark off the bench for the ’Cats. He posted eight points and five boards and was the core of the ’Cats defense. 

Taylor has consistently provided great energy off the bench, averaging 12 points and five rebounds on the season.

Taylor said the key to his success coming off the bench is coming in and playing with an edge and keeping his teammates engaged. 

“Knowing how much of a physical team they are, it’s important for me to be there and support them,” he said. Taylor scored eight of the ’Cats 12 bench points.

A major part of the loss came from ’Cats struggles with shooting, going 18-48 from the field and shooting just 1-10 from behind the three-point line.

 The team also had a season high of 20 turnovers, resulting in 22 points for the Pioneers.

While the outside shooting was struggling, the ’Cats dominated the inside, scoring 34 of their 47 points in the paint. 

Brewington still found ways to contribute despite only playing 19 minutes due to foul trouble. He scored only four points, but was a monster down low, grabbing five rebounds, two of which were offensive, two blocks and a steal.

The ’Cats hope to get back in the win column in their next outing, which is an away game versus Cal Poly Pomona at Kellogg Arena at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

For information about all Chico State athletics or to keep up with the game live, visit the Wildcat home page, or watch through FloSports. 

Cody Rowan can be reached at [email protected]