ALAMOSA, Colo.---- The SF State men's basketball team improved to 3-1 as they defeated the Chadron State Eagles 78-64 in the first round of the Adams State Bankers Classic this afternoon in Alamosa, Colorado. The Gators used the combination of exceptional defense and strong shooting in the second half to key their non-conference victory. The trio of Marquel Hoskins (Beloit, Wisconsin, Reedley College), Phoenix O'Rourke (San Mateo, California, Junipero Serra), and Nefi Perdomo (Oakland, California, Skyline ) scored 52 of the Gators' 74 points with Hoskins leading the way with 20 points.

            “Our poise and resilience in the second half was very encouraging,” said SF State Head Coach Bill Treseler. “We shot the ball very well in the second half and played outstanding defense which we were then able to convert high percentage shots,” added Treseler. “We beat a solid team this afternoon and our work is just half completed as we face Adams State tomorrow night.”

            The Gators jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first three minutes of the game, but Chadron State (1-1) outscored the Gators 7-1 in the next three minutes to its first lead of the game at 9-7. The Eagles increased their lead to 19-16 on a Jelany White three with 8:55 to go in the half. SF State tied the game at 21-21 on a three by Nefi Perdomo in the next two minutes. 

            In the following four minutes, Kevin McClelland's three capped an 11-2 run by the Eagles to give them their largest lead of the half, 32-23. The Gators ended the half scoring the last four points of the half including Hoskins' lay-up with just two seconds left to cut the Eagle lead to 32-27 heading into the locker room.

            SF State continued its run in the second half as they started the stanza on an 8-1 run keyed by O'Rourke's six points to give the Gators a 35-33 lead in the first two minutes of the second half. Chadron State would not go away as the Eagles outscored the Gators 7-0 in the next two minutes to take a 40-35 lead on a Tyler Coffman lay-up. Derek Fletcher (San Jose, California, Branham) lay-up on the Gators' next possession stopped Chadron's run. 

            The Eagles increased their lead to 43-37 on a trey by Trey Mosby at the 14:16 mark, but SF State went on a 7-0 run of its own which Fletcher scored five of the Gators' seven points to give SF State a 44-43 lead with a little over 12 minutes left in the game Daniel Trammel (Oceanside, California, El Camino) two free throws increased the Gator lead to 46-43, but Chadron State once again outscored SF State 11-8 in the next three minutes to take a 54-52 lead, its last of the game. 

            O'Rourke's lay-up at the 7:02 mark capped a 9-3 run by the Gators as they took a 61-55 lead, a lead they would not relinquish. Chadron State did cut the Gator lead to 62-60 on two free throws by Donte Archie at the 5:45 mark, but the Gators followed that scoring the next four points to build their lead back to six, 66-60, with just over four minutes to go in the game. 

            SF State outscored the Eagles 12-4 in the final four minutes including going 7 of 9 from the charity stripe to increase its lead to the final score of 78-64. 

            Hoskins finished the afternoon going 8 of 9 from the field and a perfect four of four from the line. The junior transfer also had a team high 6 rebounds and 6 assists. O'Rourke finished with a career high 16 points on 5 of 9 shooting from the field including 2 of 4 from three-point land. He also was 4 of 5 from the charity stripe and tied his career high with four steals. Perdomo also finished with 16 points off the bench for the Gators. The freshman guard was 4 of 7 from the field, 2 of 3 from three's and 6 of 8 from the line.

            SF State held the Eagles to just 41% shooting from the field while forcing 27 turnovers. The Gators shot 53% from the field including 76% in the second half while recording 15 steals. Tim Pratt also had four of the Gators' 15 steals. Kevin McClelland led the way for Chadron State with 15 points. 

            The Gators will next play Adams State in the final game of the Adams State Banker Classic tomorrow night at 8pm Mountain Time. The Grizzlies will face Northern New Mexico tonight in their first game of the classic at 8pm local time.
Box Score