SANTA ROSA, Calif. -- Jackson Gion came off the bench to drain a team-high 18 points and
Jimmy Golden added 16 as the Sonoma State men's basketball team pulled away late for a 66-56 victory over Cal State San Bernardino on Friday night at Haehl Pavilion in Santa Rosa.
The Seawolves, who boasts the nation's top defense, allowing just 57.6 points per game, earned their fourth straight victory to improve to 10-4 overall and moves into a tie for third place in the CCAA standings with a 6-2 mark in league play. The Coyotes stumbled to 6-6 overall (2-5 CCAA).
The conference foes were neck-and-neck throughout most of the game, especially in the opening half. In a very physical first half the Seawolves found themselves down 4-9 with 14:58 to go. From there the Seawolves clawed their way back and managed to come within two with 11:48 remaining for a score of 12-14. The Seawolves were able to gain some momentum, going on a 6-0 run, and found themselves in the lead 18-14 with 7:42 remaining. For the rest of the half the teams were able to trade baskets, before Sonoma was eventually able to end the half leading by one at 27-26.
It was a low scoring opening stanza, due in large part to outstanding defense, and the Seawolves ability to force turnovers. The Coyotes outshot the Seawolves 47.6 percent on 10 of 21 shooting, compared to only 33.3 percent on 8 of 24 shooting from the home squad. Despite being outshot, the Seawolves were able to close the half in the lead because of their ability to connect from the free throw line going 10 for 12 in the half, and their number one defense in the nation forcing 15 turnovers. Golden led the Seawolves in the free throw department, sinking 3 of 4 in the half.
The second half was a different story as the Seawolves were able to distance themselves from the Coyotes a bit. Sonoma began the half on a 4 to 0 run making the score 31-26 three minutes into the second half. The Coyotes stormed back after a three-pointer by Khleem Perkins brought them within one at 33-32. That is when Gion caught fire from beyond the arc. He was able to splash in three straight three-pointers and suddenly the Seawolves were in front 42-34 with 13:45 remaining. Sonoma gained its biggest lead of the night with 8:06 left in the game when they went ahead 51-39 after an
Armani Nicolis jumper.
The Coyotes came howling back, however, and only trailed by four after a three by Dorian Butler made it 53-49 with 4:59 remaining. Sonoma jumped back up to an eight point lead with a score of 59-52 at the 2:00 mark. The closest CSU San Bernardino would get the rest of the way was 60-56 with 00:58 left in the contest, before beginning to intentionally foul the Seawolves. The game ended with the Seawolves winning by a comfortable score of 66-56.
When it was all said and done the Seawolves shot 19 for 45 from the floor, good for 42.2 percent. They only shot 26.7 percent from distance, but shot an incredible 24 of 28 from the charity stripe. Aside from Gion, Golden was the only other Seawolf in double-figures, scoring 16 on 5 of 9 shooting, and 6 of 8 from the free throw line. All together four different Seawolves shot at least four free throws; Gion (7 for 8), Golden (6 for 8),
Nathan Molony-Benjamin (3 for 4), and
Khalid Johnson (4 for 4).
The Seawolves held the Coyotes to 19 for 46 shooting (41.3 percent), and 7 of 23 from distance (30.4 percent). Perkins led all scorers with a game-high 21 points on 8 for 10 shooting, but it was not enough as the nation's number one defense prevailed, forcing 20 turnovers overall.
The Seawolves will be back in action Saturday night at home against 11th-ranked UC San Diego. Tip-off at Haehl Pavilion is slated for 7:30PM, and will be the final home away from home game for the Seawolves before Sonoma will return to the Wolves' Den on February 3rd against Chico State.
