Box score | Chico State postgame | Academy of Art postgame

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Kelvin Wright scored a career-high 18 points to lead the No. 3 seed, Chico State, to a 78-61 win over the No. 6 seed, Academy of Art, in the first game of the NCAA West Regional.
 
Wright went 8-for-10 from the field while pulling down eight rebounds and posting two steals. The other four starters for Chico State all had at least nine points, with Malik Duffy's double-double leading the way.
Duffy, who was named the D2CCA West Player of the Year earlier in the day, posted 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Wildcats were also a game-best plus-22 with him on the court.
 
Isaiah Brooks added 13 points along with seven assists. Kevin Warren went 6-of-10 from the field to score 13 points, and Joshua Hamilton chipped in with nine. Latrell Williams led Academy of Art with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The first half was back-and-forth, with neither team ever holding more than a seven-point lead. The Wildcats scored the final four points of the half to take a 36-32 lead into the locker room. They quickly extended their lead to double-figures by scoring the first seven points after the break.
 
The Urban Knights cut their deficit to seven (51-44) on Mike Asante's 3-pointer with 12:54 remaining, and they trailed by six (63-57) at the six-minute mark, but each time Chico State had the answer to hold their lead. Over the next five minutes, the Wildcats went on a 9-2 run while holding ART U to 1-of-5 shooting to seal the victory.
 
Chico State will advance to face the No. 2 seed and CCAA-foe Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday, March 12 at 5 p.m.