ANAHEIM, Calif.--- Junior guard
Phoenix O'Rourke (San Mateo, California, Junipero Serra) scored 14 points, including a go-ahead three-pointer with under two minutes remaining, as SF State held off a late surge to defeat Grand Canyon, 60-58, during Day 2 of the Disney West Coast Tip-Off Classic at the Anaheim Convention Center on Saturday.
O'Rourke hit a 3-pointer with 1:38 remaining that gave the Gators (2-0) a 59-56 lead and grabbed a key defensive rebound- one of his career high seven rebounds- with 31 seconds left that helped preserve the win.
Fellow junior guard
Marquel Hoskins (Beloit, Wisconsin, Reedley College) scored 12 points to join O'Rourke in double figures.
Senior guard TJ Benson led Grand Canyon (0-2) with a game-high 17 points, and sophomore forward Justin Wesolowski who added 16 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
SF State held a 38-20 halftime and 12-point lead at 51-39 with 11:26 remaining. However, the Gators went nearly four minutes without scoring before Tim Pratt (Eureka, California, College of the Redwoods)knocked down a 3-pointer off an assist from O'Rourke wiht 7:55 remaining that snapped a 7-0 Grand Canyon run and gave SF State a 54-46 lead.
The Antelopes capped a 17-5 run when Marcos Ramos hit a jumper with 2:05 remaining the tied the score 56-56.
The Disney Classic concludes on Sunday with SF State and Western Washington playing at 4 p.m. and Kentucky Wesleyan taking on Grand Canyon at 6:30 p.m.
Box Score