North Easton, Mass. (January 10, 2026) - Chicago State men's basketball delivered one of its most resilient performances of the season on Saturday afternoon, pushing Stonehill to the wire in an 85–82 overtime thriller at Merkert Gymnasium.
The Cougars showcased impressive toughness and depth throughout the contest, overcoming an early 10–0 deficit and responding with poise each time the Skyhawks threatened to pull away. Chicago State's bench was outstanding, contributing
55 points and sparking multiple momentum-shifting runs that kept the Cougars within striking distance all afternoon.
CJ Ray led the way with a game-high
27 points, attacking the rim with confidence and providing timely buckets to fuel the comeback.
Braelon Bush added
19 points and seven assists, controlling the pace and delivering clutch plays down the stretch.
Doyel Cockrill III chipped in
13 points, including three makes from beyond the arc, while
Joseph Owens anchored the interior with
seven rebounds and four offensive boards.
Chicago State's defensive pressure also made an impact, forcing
17 Stonehill turnovers and converting them into
16 points on the other end. The Cougars' energy in transition produced
14 fast-break points, helping them erase multiple deficits and ultimately force overtime.
In the extra period, Chicago State continued to battle, with Ray and Bush each knocking down key shots. Despite the late push, Stonehill managed just enough offense to escape with the narrow win.
The Cougars finished the afternoon shooting
45.3% from the field and an impressive
41.2% from three, while also knocking down
81% of their free throws.
Chicago State returns home with plenty to build on after a performance that showcased growth, depth, and competitive fire. The Cougars are back in action next week as they continue their road swing and look to carry this momentum forward.
