SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State men's basketball team continued its best start in school history on Saturday with a 60-49 win over Chico State in the Main Gymnasium. Senior Alex Thomas (Vallejo, California, Hogan, Dominican University) poured in a game-high 20 points to help the Gators remain unbeaten at 7-0 overall and 2-0 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while the Wildcats drop to 2-6 on the season and 0-2 in conference play.

 

“We did a solid job on defense and really went after it on the glass,” said SF State head coach Bill Treseler. “We had a lot of guys contribute tonight. Darryl's Robinson's energy and the play of Phoenix (O'Rourke) and Derek (Fletcher) were the keys.”

 

The Gators limited Chico State to 32.1 percent shooting from the field, including a paltry 28.1 clip in the second half. SF State also held a decisive 44-27 rebounding margin, including a 29-16 edge on the defensive end.

 

The Gators took the lead for good after a 3-pointer by senior Will Logan (Apple Valley, California, Apple Valley) made the score 10-7 with just over four minutes gone by in the first half. SF State increased its advantage to 10 points on two occasions before reaching the halftime break with a 31-23 cushion. The Gators were 5-for-7 from beyond the 3-point arc during the period as Thomas and Logan sank two treys apiece.

 

After intermission, the Gators reclaimed a double-digit lead at 43-31, following a triple by O'Rourke and a Thomas lay-up with 9:40 left. Chico State was able to cut the trim the deficit to 49-43 over the next six minutes, punctuated by a Nick Lonnengren 3-pointer with 3:40 remaining on the clock. 

 

However, the SF State defense stiffened, holding the Wildcats to just two field goals and two free throws the rest of the way.

 

In addition to Thomas' production, Logan added 13 points of his own, while Robinson came up big with 11 rebounds and three blocked shots. O'Rourke also dished out a team-high four assists off the bench. Chico State was led by Andy Bocian's 16 points.

 

“It's important that we continue to play well at home,” coach Treseler concluded. “We will be hitting a tough road stretch after New Year's.”

 

The Gators return to the court next weekend when they play host to the SF State Invitational, Dec. 12-13, in the Main Gym. The Gators will square off against Concordia (Calif.) on Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m. before tangling with the Academy of Art on Saturday starting at 7:30 p.m.

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