SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.- In their first game away from the friendly confines of the Wolves Den, Sonoma State Men's Basketball rose to the occasion in dominant fashion. Thanks to a dominant second half performance, the Seawolves secured a decisive 19 point win over the Oaks from Menlo. Four players reached double figures and nine players saw at least 13 minutes of action.
The first half was a back and forth affair with the score sitting at 38-35 in favor of coach Shayewitz's squad. It was a slow start as the team was held to eight points through almost nine minutes of action. The Oaks two leading scorers, Landon Seaman and Preston Le Gassick, combined for 21 points to keep Menlo within striking distance across the first 20 minutes of action.
Yet, once the second half got underway it was all Seawolves. From the 18:08 mark to 11:58 on the clock Sonoma would go on a 20-6 run highlighted by a huge steal and dunk by James Nobles and a pair of threes from Nick Medeiros and Julian Bryant. From that point on there was little Menlo could do to slow down the Seawolves offense as they finished the game shooting 52% from the floor and a blistering 57% from three.
Individually, the Nick Medeiros breakout season is full steam ahead. The team's starting point guard has elevated his play to an All-Conference level through five games. He notched a game high 18 points, on 7-9 shooting from the floor, including a perfect 2-2 from deep. With one more game left in non-conference play he is now averaging 15.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game on stellar efficiency from the floor.
The starting wings also came up big in both halves. James Nobles and Julian Bryant combined for 26 points with Bryant also going 2-2 from deep. Both players had their way at the rim constantly driving past defenders and finding easy conversions over the Oaks defense in the paint. Both players also did an outstanding job on the defensive end as they pressured Menlo's ball handlers and shooters all game long. Bryant has now knocked down three threes in his last two games and when his jumpshot is falling, he becomes that much more difficult for opposing defenses to counter his physicality and finishing ability.
Jack Schultz has continued his best impression of a flame thrower as well with a perfect shooting percentage from behind the arc. Schultz's confidence when shooting is palpable as his 59% from three can attest. Schultz's highlight of the game came when he drilled a deep three while absorbing contact from his defender earning the "and-1" to help jumpstart Sonoma's offense after struggling to fill the bucket early.
Lastly, the starting frontcourt of Jakob Milling and Terence Haywood did a great job slowing down Menlo's star big man, Landon Seaman. While holding Seaman to just 13 points they managed to combine for 18 points, 12 rebounds and most importantly stayed out of foul trouble.
Having now won four straight, Sonoma will suit up for their final non-conference game of the year tomorrow against Fresno Pacific. The Seawolves are starting to find their stride on offense having scored 80 or more points in three of their last four outings. They will be tipping off against the Sunbirds tomorrow at 5:00 PM inside "The Swamp" at San Francisco State!
