POMONA, Calif-- The SF State Gators used a strong team effort this evening to defeat the defending NCAA Division II National Champions, Cal Poly Pomona, on the road in Pomona 64-60. Pre-season All-American Marquel Hoskins (Beloit, Wisconsin, Reedley College) paced the Gators (6-2, 4-0 CCAA) with a season high 21 points while sophomore Nefi Perdomo (Oakland, California, Skyline ) chipped in 11.

“It was a phenomenal team effort this evening,” said SF State Head Coach Paul Trevor. “We played everyone and they all contributed,” added Trevor. “Winston Demmin (Brooklyn, New York, Reedley College) and Max Fodor (Fremont, California, Bellarmine College Prep)gave us key minutes off the bench while Nefi Perdomo had a great effort in the second half.”

The Broncos (3-4, 0-3 CCAA) jumped out to an early 14-6 lead in the first seven minutes of the game, but the Gators outscored their hosts 16-5 in the next seven minutes to take a 22-19 lead capped by an old-fashioned three-point play by Hoskins. Cal Poly Pomona took a 30-27 lead into the locker room capped by Mitchell Anderson's jumper.

SF State, who stays in first place in the CCAA as the only undefeated team in the conference, went on a 15-2 run in the first four minutes to take a 42-32 lead. The visitors increased their lead to 11 at the 10:26 on a tip-in by Demmin.

Cal Poly Pomona would not go away as the Broncos outscored the Gators 25-15 in the next eight minutes to tie the game at 57-57 on Anderson's three-pointer. That was three of Anderson's game high 24 points.

On the Gators' next possession Ralph Nevarez (West Covina, California, East Los Angeles College) gave the Gators back the lead, 59-57 with a little over two minutes to go. Cal Poly Pomona had a chance to tie the game on its next two possession but the Broncos turned the ball over both times. Then with 30 seconds left, the Gators' Phoenix O'Rourke (San Mateo, California, Junipero Serra) connected on a three to seal the game for SF State and to increase the lead to 62-57.

Donnell Booker hit a three with 8 seconds on the game block to cut the lead back to 62-60 and then Hoskins stepped for the Gators and connected on both free throws to give SF State a 64-60 road conference win.

“Marquel (Hoskins) did a great job tonight as he attacked the zone and did everything an All-American point guard is supposed to do,” noted the Gator first-year head coach. D

SF State shot 49% from the field including 53% in the second half while forcing 15 turnovers by the Broncos. Besides his 11 points, Perdomo had four steals and two assists while O'Rourke had a team high 7 rebounds for the Gators.

“We are starting to create that winning culture and learning on how to win the tight games,” added Trevor. “The journey continues tomorrow evening at 5pm at CSU San Bernardino.”

The Coyotes defeated Cal State Monterey Bay 85-50 this evening in a CCAA match-up in San Bernardino. 

Box Score