Logsdon Classic Tournament Central

ROHNERT PARK -- The Sonoma State men's basketball team held on for a 72-64 victory on Friday night over Dixie State, thanks to three players in double-figures, including the 16 points out of the hands of David Ahern.  The Seawolves improved to 3-1 on the season while the Red Storm fell to 1-2.

After a stellar defensive effort in the first half in which the Seawolves held the Red Storm to just 13 points in the first 20 minutes, Sonoma would be in control for the majority of the second half.  However, trailing by 25 points at 67-42 with under five minutes to play, Dixie went on a 20-0 run in a span of 3:47 to get to within just five points with 1:22 remaining in regulation.  SSU held strong, though, scoring the next five points to push its lead back out to 10 points before settling for the eight-point win.

The final five minutes overshadowed what Sonoma State did for the first 35 minutes.  The hosts shot 49.1 percent from the floor (26-53), including 54.5 percent from long range (12-22).  It was in the second half when they really heated up, knocking down 65.2 percent of their shots from the floor (15-23), draining 7 of 8 attempts from beyond the arc.  Defensively, the Seawolves held the Red Storm to just 35.6 percent all night (21-59) and 31.3 percent from 3-point range (5-16).

While Ahern scored a team-high 16 points, Michael Avery had a night for himself, scoring 12 points, grabbing five rebounds, handing out five assists, blocking four shots and stealing the ball twice, all in 26 minutes of action.  James Davis was the other Seawolf in double-figures, netting 11 before fouling out late in the contest.

Dixie State was led by the 19 points from Brandon Simister.

Sonoma State will return to action Saturday night against Academy of Art to wrap up the 15th Annual Ron Logsdon Basketball Classic.  Tip off is at 7:30 pm.