OAKLAND – The Sonoma State men's basketball team dropped a non-conference tilt with Fresno Pacific on Friday night, falling to the Sunbirds 60-53.  The game took place on the campus of Holy Names University in their Thanksgiving Tournament. 
 
The Seawolves started strong, leading 12-6 early on with a run bookended by 3-pointers from Nick Klarman.  Klarman knocked down the opening bucket and was followed by baskets from Preston Blakely, Wesley Gilbert and Jeremy Lillis.  Klarman then connected on another triple at the 13:54 mark.  The two teams traded leads from there with SSU last holding the advantage at 20-19.  Fresno Pacific closed the half on a 10-4 run to take a 29-24 margin into the break. 
 
The second half would see the Seawolves battle back to within one point but never able to overtake the Sunbirds.  FPU held the advantage for the entire half, never leading by more than eight points.  Sonoma twice made it a one-point contest on baskets by Michael Smith but Fresno Pacific answered right back.  Jacob Williams's 3-pointer with 12 seconds left made it a 56-53 game with the Sunbirds converting their free-throws down the stretch to seal the win. 
 
The Seawolves shot 43% on the night compared to 39% from the Sunbirds.  SSU also committed a season low 11 turnovers whole forcing 16 but were outscored 16-2 at the free-throw-line.  Klarman and Smith finished with 11 points apiece while Gilbert tacked on ten.  Jaylen Wells added seven points, seven rebounds and five assists.  
 
Sonoma State is back in action Saturday evening with a game against host Holy Names.