The Chico State men’s basketball team suffered a heart breaking loss Saturday night against the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters by a final score of 73-72.

Going into the game the ‘Cats had a 17-game home win streak. That didn’t matter to the Otters who fought until the very end with a 3-pointer at the buzzer, stunning Acker Gym.

The first half was immediately started with a 9-0 run by Cal State Monterey Bay. Chico State did not get the lead until 7:20 left in the first half when Amir Carraway hit a 3-pointer to make the score 22-21, Chico State. The ‘Cats would go into the half all tied up with the Otters, 39-39.

In the second half it was all Chico State. With 4:41 left in the game Chico State had a 12-point lead. But the Otters began a 15-2 run and would eventually hit the game-winning shot.

The ‘Cats had a better shooting percentage than the Otters for the game but were out-rebounded 40-33 and outscored in the paint 50-26.

Carraway led Chico State with 17 points and eight rebounds. The Otters had five players in double figures in points, compared to only three for the ‘Cats.

This was the first home loss for the men since Dec. 6, 2012. Chico State fell to 11-3 overall and 7-3 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.

Sergio Sanchez can be reached at [email protected] or
@sergechez on Twitter