SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State men's basketball team kept its perfect start in tact Friday night with a 70-67 triumph over Cal State Stanislaus in the California Collegiate Athletic Association opener for both teams at the Main Gymnasium.  Sophomore Robert Hayes (San Diego, California, St. Augustine's) matched his season standard with a game-high 22 points, while senior Alex Thomas (Vallejo, California, Hogan, Dominican University) scored 21 as the Gators (6-0, 1-0 CCAA) won their sixth straight to begin the season. Meanwhile, the Warriors slipped to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in league play.

“I tip my cap to coach (Keith) Larsen and his team,” said SF State head coach Bill Treseler. Their intensity and defensive pressure were at a high level this evening, but we played solid in the last five minutes of the game.  We know we will be in for a battle tomorrow night (against Chico State).”

The Gators shot out of the gates quickly as a Hayes' lay-up provided the home team a commanding 11-1 advantage at the 15:45 mark.  However, Cal State Stanislaus fought back with a 16-4 blitz over the next six minutes, highlighted by three triples from Benny Koochoie and a pair of Michael Dyson free throws, which gave the Warriors their first lead at 17-15.

SF State reclaimed a five-point cushion shortly thereafter as senior Darryl Robinson (San Mateo, California, San Mateo, Canada College) sank a 3-pointer, making the score 25-20 at the 6:23 mark.  The visitors whittled the deficit  back down to two at 29-27 following a lay-up by Matt Ibewiro with 1:34 left before intermission.  However, the Gators closed out the half with consecutive baskets by senior Ryan Wessels (Napa, California, Vintage, Napa Valley College) and Thomas to take a 33-27 lead into the break.

The Warriors began chipping away at the SF State advantage in the first eight minutes of the second half, eventually taking the lead at 47-43 after a dunk by Ibewiro.    However, the Gators responded to the challenge as senior Brad Visman's (Placerville, California, El Dorado, UC Riverside) lay-up put SF State in out in front for good at 53-51 with 6:33 left on the clock.

The Gators kept the momentum for the balance of the contest, building a 10-point cushion at 68-58 with just 26 seconds remaining.  The SF State defense clamped down during a 4:57 stretch in which it held Cal State Stanislaus to just two field goals.  The Warriors  hit three treys in the final 15 seconds, but the rally proved to be too little too late.  

The Gators owned a commanding 45-32 advantage on the glass with Visman pulling down a team high 10 rebounds.  In addition to his point production, Hayes also notched season and game highs of six assists and five steals.

Koochoie led Cal State Stanislaus with 19 points, while Ibewiro totaled 16 points to go along with 11 rebounds.

SF State wraps up its weekend slate on Saturday when another CCAA rival Chico State invades the Main Gym. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.