San Bernardino, Calif.--- In the semi-finals of the 2008 CCAA Men's Basketball Championships, it was the UC San Diego (17-11) defeating the SF State Gators 72-65 at CSU San Bernardino's Cousssoulis Arena. This was the third time that the two teams faced each other with the Gators winning the first two. With the loss, SF State ends its season with a 17-12 record the most wins by a Gator team since 1993-94 when they finished 21-8.
“UC San Diego did a tremendous job defensively and Henry Patterson was a force,” said SF State Head Coach Bill Treseler. “It is difficult to see a season like this one end, but I am so proud of the commitment and unselfishness these young men displayed throughout the year,” added Treseler. “
Chris Rodriguez leaves us with a tremendous legacy, which will be felt in this program for years to come.”
The Tritons jumped out to an early 15-5 lead in the first five minutes of the game.
They increased that lead to 28-8 with 7:17 to go in the first half and went into the locker room with a 39-24 lead.
UC San Diego increased its lead to 50-31 with 14:09 to go in the game, but the Gators went on a 20-6 run in the next seven minutes to cut the Triton lead to just 56-51 with 7:35 left on the clock on a
Chris Rodriguez (Sr, F, San Francisco, Calif/Southern Oregon University) jumper.
The Tritons built their lead back to ten (64-54) with 3:38 on the clock, but SF State would not give up as the Gators outscored the Tritons 5-2 in the next minute to cut into the UC San Diego lead to 66-59. UC San Diego sealed the win outscoring the Gators 4-0 in the next 90 seconds to take a 70-59 lead.
Alex Thomas (Jr, G, Vallejo, Calif/Dominican University) made two three's in the final 11 seconds and the Triton's Darryl Lawlor made two free throws to make the final UC San Diego 72-65.
UC San Diego shot 60% from the field including 66% from three-point land were led by Henry Patterson's game high 22 points.
Thomas finished with 21 points lead the Gators while
Rodriguez, playing in his final game of his collegiate career, scored 13 points while
Will Logan (Jr, G/F, Apple Valley, Calif/Apple Valley HS) had 12 points and
Robert Hayes (Fr, G, San Diego, Calif/St. Augustine's HS) chipped in 10.
