ROHNERT PARK -- The Sonoma State men's basketball team will return home this weekend to welcome in the Coyotes of Cal State San Bernardino and the Tritons of UC San Diego into town. Coming off of a thrilling come-from-behind victory at Humboldt State last Saturday, the Seawolves are looking to even their record as they sit at 6-8 overall and 4-6 in the CCAA with 12 regular season games left in 2012-13.
BROADCAST INFORMATION: If you can't make the game in person, listen to Corey Neal and Tim Davidson call the games live from The Wolves' Den on Friday and Saturday. Links to live stats and live video with play-by-play commentary will be provided below. Tip off for both games is set for 7:30 p.m.
POMONA, HUMBOLDT STATE RECAP: After upsetting a 10th-ranked Cal Poly Pomona team just last season, the Seawolves had high hopes going into the game. However, the outcome was not similar, as the now seventh-ranked Broncos beat Sonoma State by nine points, 70-61.
Patrick Scott was the lone standout in this game, as he was the only SSU player in double-digits with 25 points. Scott also shot 50 percent from the floor, while the team shot 44 percent. Two nights and 680 miles later, it took Sonoma State a little while to get going, but down 10 points with 10 minutes left in the game, the Seawolves rallied to end the game on 23-9 run and earn a come-from-behind 62-58 victory over last-place Humboldt State in Arcata on Saturday. Scott led the way once again, scoring 17 points.
Jason Walter pitched in 15 points and Olsem came back with 12 points, after scoring five the game before.
SCOUTING CAL STATE SAN BERNARDINO: When you think of Cal State San Bernardino men's basketball, you think of center Kwame Alexander. Since Alexander was a part of SportCenter's Top 10 Plays last year, teams are tightening their rims in preparation for his explosive dunks. Alexander is currently second on the team in scoring, averaging 13.9 points per game, and second in the conference in rebounds per game with 8.8. In addition to Alexander's offensive presence, Brian Goins and Lacy Haddock are averaging 15.0 and 12.3 points per game, respectively. Goins is also fifth in the conference in scoring average. Last season, CSUSB saw an early exit in the CCAA Championship Tournament at the hands of Sonoma State via a buzzer-beater, as the Seawolves handed the Coyotes a 61-60 loss in The Wolves' Den back on Feb. 28, 2012. However, Cal State San Bernardino holds an all-time series advantage of 29-9, and are 13-4 on the Seawolves' home court, dating back to 1991. The Coyotes are sporting a 10-3 record overall and are second in the CCAA standings at 8-2, one game behind CCAA-leader Cal Poly Pomona.
SCOUTING UC SAN DIEGO: The Tritons of UC San Diego hold a record of 5-8 overall and 4-6 in conference play, and are also looking to sweep this weekend's games in order to get to a .500 record in the CCAA. After a split of the season series in 2011-12, the Tritons trail the Seawolves 18-12 in the all-time series. UC San Diego has not had much luck in Rohnert Park, sporting a 3-10 record when playing in The Wolves' Den. Tyler McGrath leads the Tritons in scoring, averaging 16.2 points per game, good for second in the CCAA. McGrath is accompanied by James McCann who is averaging 13.2 points per game, and Justin Brue whose average of 10.8 is third on the team.
1,000 POINT CLUB COUNTDOWN: Will Olsem scored a total of 17 points over the weekend to stake a spot in the 1,000-point club, totaling 1,010 career points with 12 games left in the regular season. Olsem hit the milestone against Humboldt on Saturday when he scored 12 points in the win over Humboldt State. Olsem is the 12th player in Sonoma State men's basketball history to reach such milestone.
Patrick Scott needs 42 more points to reach the 1,000-point mark. After dropping 25 and 17 over the weekend, Scott sits at 958 career points.
SEAWOLVES' NOTES: After putting up a combined 42 points this weekend,
Patrick Scott continues to lead the Seawolves and the CCAA in scoring average with 17.2 points per game, and is third in the conference with a 47.7 three-point shooting percentage.
Justin Herold is closing in on Cal State L.A.'s Jordan Richard for tops in the CCAA in field goal percentage. Herold is shooting 59.8 percent while Richard is shooting 60.6 percent from the floor. The Seawolves won just their second game of the 2013 calendar year when they beat Humboldt State last Saturday.
