ROHNERT PARK, CALIF. - On Saturday, January 15th the Sonoma State men's basketball team looked to get on their first win streak of the season against the #6 ranked team in the nation in Cal State San Bernardino. The Seawolves were fresh off of a thrilling overtime win over Cal Poly Pomona on Thursday night. Forward Simon Ramirez hit the game tying three to force the game into overtime and a career high 26 points from sophomore Jackie Luong would help SSU seal the game in overtime. Head coach Rich Shayewitz and his group are certainly hanging around and in the mix in conference play and a they would have a huge opportunity at home to try and pull off one of the biggest upsets in program history. The Seawolves would have quite the challenge ahead of them as they were not only playing without fans due to the local increase in COVID-19 cases, but they would also be shorthanded once again with only seven eligible players on the bench for this afternoons contest. 

Jeremy Lillis would get SSU off to a quality start as he hit a nice pick and pop three from the wing to score the games first points. The Seawolves played the first five minutes into a 10-7 deficit. Lillis would convert on a nice cutting layup inside the give him four early points. After the Coyotes responded with another basket inside, veteran shooting guard Michael Smith would connect ona deep wing three to bring the game back to within two. Dayonte Jennings for San Bernardino would respond by scoring the Coyotes next four points. Jennings would get to the line for two and then score a beautiful reverse layup to make it a six point game. San Bernardino was effective inside all game long especially with Sonoma State missing some key players down low including Wesley Gilbert. The Coyotes finished the first half with an overwhelming 32 points in the paint compared to SSU's 8. After a long three attempt from Simon Ramirez that did not fall for the Seawolves, San Bernardino would come back down the floor and get their largest lead of the game at that point after a catch and shoot three from Darius Mickens. The three ball and now a 9-point lead would force an early timeout from Shayewitz. 

Despite no fans in attendance, the intensity was very much felt on the floor as Sonoma State knew the opportunity they had with the #6 ranked team in the nation in their gym while San Bernardino looked to make a statement to the rest of the conference. Out of the timeout the Seawolves would answer with a 5-0 run on buckets from Michael Smith and the hot hand in Jackie Luong. San Bernardino finished the first half with only three turnovers but all three came in the early portion of the first half allowing for SSU to stay in the game and keep it tight. Sonoma State would go cold from the field under the eight minute mark while San Bernardino did the exact opposite. After pounding the paint early in the half, the Coyotes finally got some three balls to drop and they worked their way up to a 13 point lead with the help of an 11-0 scoring run. Tariq Woody for the Coyotes would provide a nice efficient spark off the bench as he came on and went 3-3 from the field all within just three minutes of action. The first half would end with San Bernardino up 52-34 over the Seawolves. The Coyotes shot a staggering 66% from the field in the first 20 minutes of action as they continued to attack the paint and then let some timely deep shots fall. SSU did a nice job of getting to the free throw line and attacking the rim as they out-shot San Bern 14-3 in the first half. Michael Smith was a part of that group attacking the rim as he was perfect in the first half finishing 3-3 from the field, connecting on his lone three point attempt and hitting both of his free throws.

San Bernardino would start the second half on a 10-4 run into the first media timeout of the half as the Coyotes lead grew to 14. Sonoma state was able to force 7 second half turnovers and from those they were able to convert 14 points. However, the Coyotes flew in transition and the pace of play really made it difficult for the shorthanded Seawolves to keep up and keep fresh bodies in the game. San Bernardino finished the game with 12 fast break points compared to SSU's 2. With a lack of personnel as well, Shayewitz and his group had a tough time matching up defensively inside as the Coyotes were able to outrebound the Seawolves on the glass 40-25 and finish the game with over half their points in the paint. Sonoma State did show some bright spots as they finished the second half 11-12 as a team from the stripe as they continued to attack the rim and draw fouls. Three Seawolf players finished in double figures as Jeremy Lillis was able to convert a season high three 3-pointers. Michael Smith tallied 17 points with an efficient shooting night, finishing 7-9 from the field. Simon Ramirez also continued his great scoring streak as he led the way with a team high 18 points and went a staggering 10-10 from the free throw line. Ramirez has been on a nice scoring run in recent weeks as he's been averaging over 15 points in his last four games. The continuous fire power and quickness of the Coyotes offense would prove to much on a night with only seven eligible players as the Seawolves would ultimately fall 74-94. 

Sonoma State splits the weekend home stand and falls to 3-13 on the season and 3-7 in CCAA play. The Seawolves will hit the road this upcoming week as they will travel back down south for a matchup against Cal State Dominguez Hills on Thursday, January 20th. They will then return to the bay area and head to Cal State East Bay to take on the Pioneers on Saturday, January 22nd. Live stats and stream links can be found at sonomaseawolves.com and all games can be streamed on the CCAA Network. Be sure to follow your Seawolves on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get all the latest SSU athletics updates and information. @SonomaSeawolves | #NomaNation