HAYWARD, Calif. — Four Sonoma State men's basketball players scored in double-digit figures to secure a 100-93 road win in double overtime, against Seattle Pacific Friday night to open the 2017-18 season.
The Seawolves found themselves down by seven early in the first half, as they trailed 15-8 with 11:28 remaining in the first half. However, over the next six minutes, Sonoma State went on a 20-5 run to turn their seven-point deficit into a take an eight-point lead with 5:24 remaining in the period. Jordan Fleck put Sonoma State out to a nine-point lead—their largest of the first half—with a fast-break layup with 2:39 remaining before the Seawolves hit the break with a three-point lead, 34-31.
The second half ebbed and flowed as the lead changed nine different times, neither team leading at any one point by more than four points. Armani Nicolis lead the charge for SSU, scoring nine points in the period and taking down five rebounds.
With the score tied at 65 through regulation, the Seawolves and Falcons headed to overtime. Seattle Pacific took a four-point lead on a Wooten Coleman layup but a three-pointer by Nicolis brought the Seawolves back within one. A trio of Sonoma State free throws followed a Falcon layup, bringing the score to a 76-76 tie after the five minute overtime.
The Falcons lead most of the first minute of the second overtime but fouls proved to be Seattle Pacific's undoing, as the Seawolves converted 14 of 15 from the line en route to a 24-point period. Fleck sunk all six of his free throws, and accounted for more than a third of the Seawolf scoring in the final five minutes. Thanks to a shot from beyond the arc, Jackson Gion retook the lead 82-81 with 3:55 remaining—this time for good. Sonoma State opened the game up to a two possession lead before leading by as many as eight and closing out a 100-93 win.
When it was all said and done, Fleck, Jordan Hickman, Nicolis and Gion put up double-digit performances, scoring 21, 20, 19 and 12 points respectively.
With the win, Sonoma State state starts the season 1-0 and will take on Montana State Billings Saturday at 12pm PT.
