ARCATA, CALIF. - On Tuesday, November 22nd, the Sonoma State men's basketball team headed north for their first conference game of the season against the Lumberjacks of Cal Poly Humboldt. The Seawolves offense would continue to boom as sophomore forward
Jaylen Wells would have a career night, posting 30 points on a phenomenal 11-20 shooting as his heroic effort would fall just short with Sonoma State losing the lead late and ultimately falling 71-79.
FIRST HALF:
A season high ten lead changes for head coach Rich Shayewitz and his group would tell the story of a very entertaining and competitive contest. After trading buckets to kickoff the game, Cal Poly Humboldt would slowly take control of the game, developing a 9 point lead just under the ten minute mark of the first half. Over the next five minutes, junior transfer from Sacramento
Pierce Rexford would catch fire and record a couple of buckets including a three ball to bring the deficit to just three.
After pulling the game back to within reach, both teams would play some tough defense and once again trade buckets until the end of the half, with the Lumberjacks up just 35-32. Rexford would also go on to have a career night and finish with 15 points and a team high three 3-pointers. The 6-foot-7 forward would showcase his shooting ability as he stretches defenses out to the perimeter and gives the Seawolves some versatility in a smaller lineup.
SECOND HALF:
Shayewitz and his squad would come out fighting as the Seawolves attacked the rim and went on an 8-4 scoring run to take a one point lead just minutes into the second half.
Jaylen Wells would convert a tough hook shot in the paint and take the contact to go to the line and complete the three point play to make it a two point game. After giving up a layup on the other end, Wells would come right back down the floor and burry a corner three off of a kick out pass from
Nick Klarman to bring SSU to within one.
On the very next possession, a great double team in the corner by a pair of Seawolf defenders would force a difficult cross-court pass and Rexford would pick it off and toss it ahead for the sprinting
Nick Medeiros who would lay it in for the easy deuce and give the Seawolves their first lead of the second half. Once again, both teams would trade baskets and exchange leads several times. Twice Sonoma State held four point leads but Humboldt was able to answer with a bucket both times to keep them within striking distance. For much of the middle portion of the second half, Sonoma State would hold primary control of the game, making shots and forcing Humboldt to convert to stay in the contest and prevent the Seawolves lead from growing.
After multiple lead changes within the four minute mark, a game deciding 11-0 run from the Lumberjacks would give them a ten point lead with under a minute to play. Two turnovers and a technical foul would contribute to the Jacks scoring run and ultimately leave the Seawolves with too much work to do and not enough time to do it. Cal Poly Humboldt would pull away in an exciting conference opener and win the game 79-71. Wells would convert on three straight layups for SSU to climb to within eight as time expired and also add to his career night, finishing with a game high 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 steals. Wells would record his third double-doulbe of the season.
The Seawolves shot a season high 38% from three point range and again saw four players in double figures, the game was simply decided by just a couple plays that allowed Cal Poly Humboldt to pull ahead late.
Pierce Rexford found his stroke from beyond the arc and made a season high three 3-pointers, finishing the night with 15 points on 5-8 shooting.
Nick Medeiros would pick up his second straight start of the season and finish in double figures once again. Him and senior forward
Nick Klarman would combine for 20 points on the night. After struggling from the line early in the season, the Seawolves would shoot a season high 83%, converting 15-18.
Sonoma State would have one of their more complete performances on both sides of the ball but find themselves on the wrong side of this one, falling to 0-5 overall and 0-1 in CCAA play. The Seawolves will return home after Thanksgiving break and play host to the Seawolves Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday and Sunday. They will take on Fresno Pacific on saturday at 4:00 PM. Live stats, stream, and ticket links can all be found at sonomaseawolves.com on the men's basketball schedule page. As always you can stream the game LIVE on the CCAA Network.
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