Photos by Ray Hamill/HumboldtSports.com – CR head coach Ryan Bisio talks to his players during a timeout in Saturday’s game.

By Ray Hamill — The Corsairs are clicking at the right time.

On Saturday afternoon, the College of the Redwoods men took a big step toward a potential fourth straight conference title with an impressive 93-66 win over Feather River in basketball at CR.

The win, which was their third straight, avenged an earlier conference loss to Feather River and lifts the Corsairs into a tie with the Golden Eagles for second in the conference standings.

Siskiyous, whom the Corsairs play in a pivotal game next Thursday, remain atop the standings with a record of 5-1, with four games remaining for all six teams.

And if the CR offense continues to scores like it has been in recent games, with three of their four highest points totals of the season coming in their last three games, they will be tough to stop.

“Of all the things to be happy about from our performance today, the thing that pops to me was the durability of our emotional steadiness and focus,” head coach Ryan Bisio said. “We felt very present and calm and confident.”

The Corsairs took control of the game in the opening half and led 47-25 at the break.

The visitors, however, began to chip away at the lead and pulled to within 13 points with a little over eight minutes remaining.

But the Corsairs responded in emphatic fashion and immediately went on an 18-0 to stretch the advantage to 31 and end the game as a contest long before the final buzzer sounded.

“We guarded the ball as well as we probably ever have today,” Bisio added. “We were tough in isolation and everyone felt very tied together. A real steadiness on that side of the ball too.”

As you would expect with such a high points tally, there were several players to score in double digits, including the in-form Mason Railsback and Kai Purcell.

The two former Arcata Tigers each scored a team-high 17 points.

Railsback contributed in other ways as well, as his role with the team continues to grow.

“Mason Railsback led us in every facet of the game,” his coach said. “His rebounding, aggressiveness and next play mentality allowed everyone to settle in. Mason’s overall floor game today left no rock unturned. What a game he had.”

Trey Neff added 15 points in the win, while brother Ty Neff finished with 14, as did Jett Cheong.

CR also was clutch at the line, scoring on 19 of 23 free throws, as well as hitting 16 3-pointers and dishing out 23 assists.

And now with four games remaining, the team remains in the chase for an historic fourth straight conference crown.

In addition to Thursday’s game at Siskiyous, whom CR beat 93-73 at home recently, the Corsairs will also play at Butte next Saturday.

And Bisio and his players are looking forward to the challenge as they inch closer to a little bit of history.

“These next seven days will provide the biggest challenge we’ve yet to face this season,” Bisio said. “Two big, must-win games on the road against playoff level teams. But that’s why we love to play, right?

“These are the games we train all year-round to be a part of.”

CR is now 14-10 overall.

Thursday’s game is set for 7 p.m.

The CR women had a bye on Saturday as Feather River is not fielding a women’s team this year.