BOX SCORE ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- Justin Herold scored a team-high 19 points and Sterling Arterberry added 17, but the Sonoma State men's basketball team suffered a 77-70 loss to visiting Cal State San Bernardino on Wednesday night at The Wolves' Den.  The loss prevented the Seawolves (15-10 overall) from clinching a first round home game in the upcoming CCAA tournament, as Sonoma State falls into a tie with the Coyotes (14-10 overall) in fourth place at 13-8 in the standings with one game to play in the regular season.

With a home playoff game on its mind, Sonoma State sprinted out to a 23-12 lead 12 minutes into the game.  That's when Cal State San Bernardino settled down, going on a 24-10 to close out the half and take a 36-33 lead at halftime. 

The Coyotes remained in the lead for the first part of the second half, but the Seawolves would crawl back into the contest and lead by as much as eight points (56-48) after a three-pointer by Jason Walter at the 10:15 mark.  But again, Cal State San Bernardino jumped back into the game and, with a pair of free throws by CSUSB's Theron Laudermill, the Coyotes took a four-point lead at 64-60. 

A tip-in by Herold and a pair of made free throws by Arterberry knotted the game at 64-64 with 6:18 left in the game, but Cal State San Bernardino went on a 12-2 run over the next five and a half minutes to stretch its lead to as much as 10 points, the largest of the night for the visitors, with just 46 seconds left on the clock.  Patrick Scott got the Seawolves within six points after a layup and a pair of free throws, but it was too little, too late as the Coyotes held of the hosts to earn the 77-70 win.

It was the free throw shooting that hampered Sonoma State's chances to earn the win on Wednesday.  The Seawolves shot just 55.2 percent (16-29), including just 6 of 13 in the first half.  However, SSU led in shooting percentage (49.0 percent-38.1 percent) and rebounds (47-32), but the Coyotes took advantage of 16 SSU turnovers and outscored the Seawolves 22-8 off turnovers.

Scott finished the night with 13 points, complementing the 19 and 17 points from Herold and Arterberry, respectively.  The long-range jumpers weren't falling for SSU either, as the team shot just 4 of 16 from beyond the three-point arc.  CSUSB didn't shoot much better, hitting just 6 of 28 attempts (21.4 percent).

Cal State San Bernardino was led by the 28 points of Tre' Brewer, 15 from Laudermill and 12 from Kwame Alexander.

With just one game left in the regular season, Sonoma State will face UC San Diego on Friday night, tipping off from The Wolves' Den at 7:30 p.m.  With the loss, the Seawolves need a win on Friday against the Tritons to have hopes of hosting the first round playoff game next Friday (Feb. 28), no matter what Cal State San Bernardino does at Humboldt State on Friday.  If the Coyotes defeat the Lumberjacks and the Seawolves fall to the Tritons Friday night, SSU would end the regular season in fifth place and would have to travel for the first round of the CCAA tournament.

Friday night will also mark Senior Night.  Three SSU student-athletes will be recognized in a pre-game ceremony, including Steven Pratt, Ashley Arnott and Andy Shannon.