The Chico State men’s basketball team took on the San Bernardino Coyotes hoping to be the second team in over 100 years to win 20 of their 23 games. After regulation, the Wildcats and Coyotes were tied at 73-73, but in overtime it was the ‘Cats that pulled ahead to a 91-79 win at Coussoulis Arena on Feb. 13.

Not only does it put them 20-3 overall and improve its California Collegiate Athletic Association record to 14-2, but it also puts them into the record books.

Sophomore Corey Silverstrom had a career high of seven 3-pointers and led five Wildcats into double figures at 25 points. Junior Robert Duncan had 18 points, six rebounds and seven assists. Sophomore Isaiah Ellis had 13 points and eight rebounds and sophomore Tyler Harris, who came in off the bench, scored his career high of 17. Fellow sophomore Jalen McFerren also contributed 11 points to give the ‘Cats the victory.

The team had a season high of 13 3-pointers and 54.8 shooting percentage from the field. The first half was a very tight game with no one having a lead of more than four points.

In the beginning of the second half, it was Cal State San Bernardino that pulled ahead and scored 11 of the first 14 points to put them up 41-34. The Wildcats pulled back to a 57-54 lead. With 2:50 left in the game, it was 68-all and a back and forth game ending in a 73-all tie.

It was an overtime run by the Wildcats with two quick 3-pointers from Harris and McFerren followed by back-to-back buckets. The Coyotes could not recover from the blows. The Wildcats pulled ahead 83-73 and then finished the game with late layups by Harris and free throws by Duncan and McFerren to win 91-79.

The ‘Cats will be back at home against Cal Poly Pomona on Feb. 19, in a game featured on ESPN3.

Esther Briggs can be contacted at [email protected] or on Twitter @EstherBriggs191