Box Score: San Francisco State 73, Sonoma State 66
ROHNERT PARK, Calif- Four Sonoma State players scored in double figures, led by the 15 points of
Will Olsem, but San Francisco State's Nefi Perdomo and Marquel Hoskins dropped in 22 and 20 points, respectively, helping the Gators hold off the Seawolves, 73-66, in CCAA men's basketball action on Thursday night at The Wolves' Den in Rohnert Park. The Seawolves stumble to 5-8 overall and 3-6 in conference play while the Gators move to 8-5 (6-3 CCAA).
Sterling Arterberry got the game going for the Seawolves with a successful and-one play, putting SSU up 3-0 early. Both teams then traded baskets, but a three pointer by Daniel Trammel gave the Gators a two-point advantage (7-5) at the 13:23 mark of the opening half.
San Francisco State continued the hold the lead despite strong resistance by the prolific Sonoma State offense, but the Seawolves were unable to take the lead before halftime. Down by four with 3:24 to play, SSU surrendered a 10-0 over the next three minutes and held a 40-28 lead going into the locker rooms at intermission.
In the second half, the Gators eventually extended their lead to the largest lead of the ballgame, a 47-31 cushion with 16 minutes remaining in regulation. However, the Seawolves wouldn't go away quietly, slowly chipping away. SSU got to within one point (64-63) with 3:17 left, but on the ensuing SFSU possession, Olsem fouled Phoenix O'Rourke on a three-point shot, allowing O'Rourke to successfully convert three free throws and give the Gators a four point lead (67-63). Sonoma State wouldn't get any closer as turnovers and missed free throws down the stretch would doom the Seawolves' chance to upset the visitors.
San Francisco State scored 20 points off 19 Sonoma State turnovers in the contest, while SSU only scored nine on 17 SFSU miscues. The Gators had the hots hands on Thursday night, nailing 26 of 52 shots (50 percent), while holding the Seawolves, the CCAA's best shooting team, to 41.7 percent from the floor (20 of 48).
Olsem's 15 points came on 4 of 9 shooting, all from beyond the three point arc.
Matthew French and
Steven Pratt chipped in with 13 and
Sterling Arterberry added 11. French was two rebounds shy of his first career double-double, corralling a game-high eight boards.
Perdomo scored all 22 points prior to fouling out with more than ten minutes remaining in the game. He and Hoskins combined for 42 points on 15 of 24 shooting from the floor -- Perdomo was 6 of 7 from long range.
Sonoma State will look to rebound against Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday, when the Seawolves host the Otters in The Wolves' Den, tipping off at 7:30 p.m.
