ROHNERT PARK, Calif-  Junior Katie Keilig had 20 points on Saturday afternoon to lead Sonoma State to a season-opening 74-68 win over Academy of Art at Seawolf Gym in Rohnert Park.  The Seawolves go to 1-0 on the young season while the Urban Knights fall to 0-1.

The Seawolves led nearly the entire way, but had trouble pulling away from a stubborn Urban Knight squad.   After getting out to an early 8-0 lead, the Seawolves were reeled in slowly and after an 11-2 run midway through the half, AAU had pulled to within one at 23-22. 

The game was tied at 30-30 on a three-pointer by Levalasi Key and then soon after, the Urban Knights took their only lead of the game, at 33-31 on another three by Lorraine Etchell.  Sonoma State would quickly regain the lead and finish the half on a 7-0 run to make it 38-33 at the break.

After a couple of ties early in the second half, the Seawolves finally began to pull away, growing the lead to as many as eight.  Once again, however, the Urban Knights clawed back, closing to within one at 61-60 with 5:50 remaining. 

With just a one-point lead with 2:08 remaining, the Seawolves got a couple of clutch baskets from Jennifer Russo and a few free throws to set the final margin at 74-68.

Keilig was impressive from the free throw line in her Seawolf debut, connecting on 12-of-14.  She also had five rebounds and a couple of steals.  Russo finished the night with 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field.  Stephanie Barnes, making her Sonoma State debut as well, poured in 12 points.

Caprice Hall led the Urban Knights with 16 points on five three-pointers.  Key came off the bench for 14 points and seven rebounds.  AAU shot 11-of-38 from three-point territory.

The Seawolves return to the hardwood next Friday when they face Alaska in the first game of the Coslet Classic in Chico.

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