Fresno, Calif.---In their final exhibition game of the 2009-10 season, the SF State's strong defensive effort fell just short as the Gators lost to the NCAA Division I Fresno State Bulldogs (1-0) 65-59. Marquel Hoskins (Beloit, Wisconsin, Reedley College) led the way for the Gators with 18 points and had 8 assists with six rebounds and two steals. Paul George led in scoring for Fresno State with 19 points.

            “We were very solid on the defensive end,” said SF State Head Coach Bill Treseler. “Fresno State is physical and athletic, but our guys never flinched,” added Treseler. “Jeremy Francis was very good on both ends of the floor, and Derek (Fletcher), Phoenix (O'Rourke), Aaron (Trigg), and Marquel (Hoskins), really stepped up to the challenge.”

            The Gators took an early 11-8 lead in the first seven minutes of the game. SF State outscored its hosts 13-12 in the next seven minutes to take a 24-20 lead on a lay-up by Hoskins off an assist from Derek Fletcher (San Jose, California, Branham). There were two more ties before the end of the half. SF State outscored the Bulldogs 4-3 to take a 32-31 lead into the half. SF State shot 54% in the first half and held Fresno State to just 36% shooting.

            The Bulldogs outscored the Gators 12-0 in the first four minutes of the second stanza capped by a Paul George three to take a 43-32 lead. SF State outscored the Bulldogs 20-12 in the next 11 minutes to cut the hosts' lead to just three (55-52). Phoenix O'Rourke (San Mateo, California, Junipero Serra) hit a three with 2:31 left on the clock cut the Bulldog lead to 59-57 which was the closest the Gators could get.

            Fresno State outscored SF State 6-2 in the final 2:31 to take the 65-59 victory. This was the Bulldogs' season home opener. The foul differential was SF State 30-12 and the Bulldogs were 23-37 from the line while the Gators went to the line just eight times for the night. 

            O'Rourke finished with 15 points for the Gators while Jeremy Francis (San Francisco, California, Mayville State University) chipped in 10 points off the bench. SF State forced 16 turnovers by the Bulldogs while holding to them just 17% shooting from the three-point land. The Gators also had 15 assists led by Hoskins' eight and Aaron Trigg (Suisun City, California, Napa Valley College) with three. 

            The Gators, who went 2-1 in the Disney Classic earlier this month, will return to the regular season a week from tonight, when they travel to Alamosa, Colorado, to participate in the Adams State Banker Classic.
Box Score