ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. - On Friday, November 19th, the Sonoma State men's basketball team took on the Nanooks of Alaska Fairbanks in the night cap of the Ron Logsdon Basketball Challenge presented by Cambria Hotel Sonoma Wine Country. After an 0-2 start in the SF State Tip-Off Classic the week prior, head coach Rich Shayewitz and his group looked to get their first win of the 2021-22 season in the Wolves' Den. Shayewitz would also be seeking his first win as the head coach of the men's program after being named Director of Basketball last spring.

After a slow start, SSU would find some stops and knock down some early shots to erase their early deficit and get back into the game. Nick Klarman knocked down a couple of early shots as well as the Seawolves big man presence of Jeremy Lillis and Welsey Gilbert. Another early spark for the Seawolves that truly helped get them going was true freshman Jaylen Wells. Wells attacked the paint early for some tough buckets and really kept Sonoma State in the game during the first half. After pulling the game to within three in the latter part of the first half, the Nanooks would go on a run as there two guards were dangerous from three causing problems for the Seawolf defense. As the lead began to extend once again towards the end of the first half, Alaska Fairbanks would put an exclamation point on the first half with a near buzzer-beater three ball to make it a 47-34 advantage going into the half.

The Seawolves did shoot over 40% from the field in the first 20-minutes of action but they were unable to cash in a three as they went 0-6 from beyond the arc. On the flip side, Alaska Fairbanks shot a staggering 5-8 from 3-point range to give them the 13-point lead. Head coach Rich Shayewitz helped reset his team at the half as SSU came out with a much tougher defensive mindset and finally saw some long range shots go down to help cut the lead. SSU and UAF would exchange buckets to start the period and then forward Nick Klarman would come alive as he made back-to-back three pointers to cut the lead down to seven. A layup from center Jeremy Lillis the following offensive possession would bring the lead to just five as SSU had climbed their way back into the game and quickly at that. Minutes later Klarman would hit another three before getting subbed out. He would finish the night with a game high 25 points.   

Later in the half it was freshman Jaylen Well's turn as he cashed in on a pair of threes to keep the Seawolves within striking distance. Alaska Fairbanks continued to maintain their 8-10 point lead throughout the half as SSU looked for any break they could get. The Seawolves did come alive offensively in the half, but the question remained if they could make enough stops to close the Nanooks lead. With under four minutes to play, back-to-back buckets from Klarman and Lillis would cut the lead to just five. Lillis was coming off of an impressive 20-point performance in the team's previous OT loss to Academy of Art. After a made jumper from the Nanooks, guard Preston Blakely would get in on the action with a huge corner three to cut the lead to four! 

After that mark, the Seawolves went cold from the field and just could not buy a bucket. With time winding down Shayewitz and his group had to play the foul game to stop the clock and get the ball back. However, Alaska Fairbanks made clutch free throw after clutch free throw at the line to extend the lead and with SSU misses on the other end, Sonoma State would eventually fall 85-79. Despite Despite shooting 57% from the field in the second half and outscoring UAF 45-38, SSU's early turnovers and struggles from three point range proved to be the ultimate deciders. The Nanooks shot nearly 60% from the 3-point line while the Seawolves finished 9-22 along with an 0-6 streak in the first half. The game turned into a scoring affair as both teams boasted high shooting percentages but the early turnover trouble gave Sonoma State a late start to the contest. 

Despite the now 0-3 start, the Seawolves showed a lot of toughness in the second half and also had some standout players. Forward's Nick Klarman and Jaylen Wells posted season highs as they both led SSU with 25 points a piece. Klarman came alive from three point range in the second half knocking down five of SSU's nine three's for the game. Wells finished 7-11 from the field and added three 3-pointers of his own in the contest as he came off the bench to play 30 big minutes. Both players were also perfect from the stripe as they combined to make 12 free throws. Center Jeremy Lillis continued his effectiveness as he added 12 points of his own on 6 of 13 shooting. He would also grab four rebounds on the night. 

The Seawolves will finish off the Ron Logsdon Basketball Challenge tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 PM against Western Oregon. For live stat links, live stream links, and additional game information, head to sonomaseawolves.com. Be sure to follow your Seawolves on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get all the latest SSU athletics updates and information. @SonomaSeawolves #NomaNation