SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State men's basketball team had its two-game winning streak snapped on Saturday with a 74-57 defeat at the hands of Cal State Dominguez Hills in the Main Gymnasium. The Toros stymied the Gator offense for the majority of the contest, improving to 18-5 on the season and 12-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Meanwhile with the loss, SF State slips to 13-10 on the year and 7-9 in league play.
“We were soundly beaten by a championship-level team,” said Gator head coach Bill Treseler.
“(CSUDH) shot the ball well and defended hard. It's time for us to circle the wagons and gear up for the home stretch.”
SF State connected on just 16 of 53 field-goals for the contest (30.2 percent) compared to the Toros' 18-for-39 effort (46.2 percent). CSUDH also hit a blistering 10 out of 14 shots (71.4 percent) from beyond the 3-point arc, while Gators converted just 5 of their 21 treys (21.7 percent). SF State managed to win the turnover battle, 19-12, but was outrebounded by a 40-28 margin.
Individually,
Robert Hayes (San Diego, California, St. Augustine) led all scorers with 28 points, including a 14-for-16 effort from the free-throw line, while
Martin Flores (Woodland, California, Woodland, Solano Junior College) dished out a season-high four assists.
The Toros gradually asserted themselves in the first half, taking the lead for good at 12-10 on a layup by Jamel Ward at the 13:09 mark. CSUDH then increased its advantage to 20-12 over the next two-and-a-half minutes, but the Gators responded with five straight points, including two free throws by Flores, to bring the home side back to within striking distance at 20-17. However, SF State would be unable to draw any closer the rest of way as the Toros built a 36-28 cushion by intermission.
Following the break, CSUDH put together a 14-4 run over a seven-minute stretch to take control of the ballgame as Rodney Yearby's jumper gave the visitors a 50-32 bulge with 13:06 remaining.
Shortly thereafter, the Toros enjoyed their biggest lead of the night at 56-35 following a pair of foul shots by Jerrell Smith at the 10:19 mark. SF State was able to whittle the deficit down to 12 at 63-51 following a 3-point basket by
Phoenix O'Rourke (San Mateo, California, Junipero Serra) with 4:03 left on the clock. However, the Gators could not sustain the momentum as CSUDH kept the host team at bay for the remainder of the game.
The Toros were led by Michael Hernandez, who went 16-for-16 from the charity stripe en route to a 20-point performance. Meanwhile, Jonathan Toliver (16 points) and Yearby (11 points) also reached double digits in the victory.
SF State returns to the hardwood on Wednesday, Feb. 18, when it squares off against CCAA rival Cal State Monterey Bay in the Main Gym. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.
Box Score
