CCAA/PacWest Challenge Tournament Central

SAN RAFAEL, Calif. -- James Davis went for a game-high 23 points on 8 of 13 shooting, including five 3-pointers as the Sonoma State men's basketball team got its 2015-16 season off on a winning note, defeating host Dominican on Friday night 68-63 at the Conlan Center in San Rafael as part of the CCAA/PacWest Challenge. 

The Seawolves (1-0) led for 30 of the 40 minutes, taking the lead for good on a 3-pointer by Jimmy Golden at the 7:46 mark of the first half to put SSU up 23-20.  Sonoma extended its lead to eight at halftime (38-30) and got up to as much as an 11-point advantage with 15 minutes left to play in the contest. 

The Penguins (0-1) would make a game of it, however, pulling to within four points on two occasions, the last being on a layup by Ryo Tawatari with 33 seconds left in the second half.  Both teams had several chances late -- SSU missed four of five shots (three free throws) and DUC missed two 3-pointers all in the final 20 seconds to account for the final score of 68-63.

David Ahern came off the bench to score in double-figures, netting 11 points in 21 minutes of action. Andy Mitchell had eight points, seven rebounds and four assists.  As a team, the Seawolves connected on 46.0 percent from the floor on 23 of 50 shooting and 41.6 percent from beyond the arc (7 of 17).

Dominican shot 44.8 percent (26 of 58) and was just 3 of 23 from long range.  Christopher Schwartz-Edmisten led the Penguins with 18 points.

Sonoma State returns to action on Saturday at 5:30 pm against Academy of Art, also in San Rafael.