BELMONT, Calif.---- SF State used a balanced scoring attack and a defensive effort that forced 31 turnovers and held its opponent to just 29% from the field to defeat Simon Fraser 95-50 in the First Round of the 4th Annual NDNU Thanksgiving Classic in Belmont this evening. Five Gators scored in double figures led by Tim Pratt (Eureka, California, College of the Redwoods)and Phoenix O'Rourke (San Mateo, California, Junipero Serra)each with 13 points.

“I am very happy with our balanced scoring attack,” said SF State head coach Paul Trevor. “Matt Fochtman and Tyler Brown gave us good energy off the bench,” added Trevor. “We had big time energy off the bench, but we need to start our games quicker and get Marquel Hoskins going.”

Simon Fraser (0-2) jumped out to a 5-0 lead, but the Gators outscored the Clan 9-1 in the next four minutes to take a 9-6 lead a lead they would not relinquish. SF State increased its lead to 45-20 on a three by Phoenix O'Rourke with 1:47 and continued its onslaught to take a 51-22 lead in the locker room on an old fashioned three-point play byRalph Nevarez (West Covina, California, East Los Angeles College).

In the second half, the Gators (2-1) outscored the Clan 44-28 and cruised to a 95-50 non-conference victory.

Besides O'Rourke and Pratt, Matt Fochtman (Millbrae, California, Colorado State-Pueblo) and Nefi Perdomo (Oakland, California, Skyline ) chipped in 11 points and Joshua Hash (Eureka, California, College of the Redwoods) had a career high 10 points. The Gators out-rebounded the Clan 41-37 and shot 48% from the field including 40% from three-point land while recording 15 steals (three by Jamari Jamari Simmons (San Bernardino, California, Cajon)).

The Gators will return to the court tomorrow at 5pm when they face Notre Dame de Namur University in the final game of the classic in Belmont. 

Box Score