BOX SCORE SEASIDE, Calif-
Steven Pratt had team-highs of 19 points, nine rebounds and four assists and three other Sonoma State players scored in double-figures, but the Seawolves couldn't hold off a late surge by host Cal State Monterey Bay, as the Otters earned a 80-72 overtime victory on Saturday at the Otter Sports Center in Seaside. SSU has lost three straight, falling to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the CCAA. CSUMB rises to 2-3 and 1-1 in conference action.
Sonoma State and Cal State Monterey Bay fought through 12 ties and 14 lead changes on Saturday, as neither team led by more than six points at any time, until the Otters finally pulled away late in overtime. The Seawolves were on fire in the first 20 minutes, hitting 10 of their 19 shots (52.6 percent) from the floor. They also went 13 for 18 at the line in the first half, including 8 of 11 by Pratt. However, despite the hot hands of SSU, Cal State Monterey Bay managed to stay within striking distance and trailed the visitors by only two (37-35) at halftime.
The Otters held a six-point advantage after a three-pointer by Brandon Ward with 15:11 on the clock, but the Seawolves would continue to chip away and, in fact, neither team led by more than three points in the final 11:27 of regulation, setting up a finish for the ages.
With 4:39 left in the second half and the score tied at 63-63, Pratt scored a layup and
Brian Crow would hit a free throw 45 seconds later to give SSU the three-point lead at 66-63. From then on, neither team could make a shot, until James Thomas nailed a game-tying three-pointer with 28 seconds left in the second half.
Out of a timeout, Sonoma State inbounded the ball and set the play up for the potential game-winning shot, however, Crow's three-point attempt with three seconds left rimmed off and the game went to overtime. In the extra period, the Seawolves went cold from the floor, hitting just one of 10 shots in five minutes, while surrendering three of six from the host Otters, accounting for the eventual 80-72 loss by SSU.
Will Olsem and
Andrew Bolton scored 11 points apiece for Sonoma State -- Olsem was held to just 3 of 12 from the floor (and 2 of 8 from long range).
Sterling Arterberry added 10 in the loss as the Seawolves finished with a shooting percentage of 38.2 (21-55).
Cal State Monterey Bay hit 48.3 percent from the field (29-60), including 8 of 23 from beyond the arc. Brandon Ward led all players with 23 points, complemented by Derrick Anderson and Kevin Loustale, who chipped in with 15 points each.
Sonoma State will travel to Arcata next Saturday (Dec. 10) to face nationally-ranked Humboldt State at 4:00 p.m. in Lumberjack Arena. Following Saturday's contest, the Seawolves will return home on Dec. 17 to host Cal State Stanislaus at 7:30 p.m.
