SAN FRANCISCO – Nefi Perdomo (Oakland, Calif., Skyline HS) poured in a season-high 28 points, while Marquel Hoskins (Beloit, Wis., Reedley College) added 25 to lift the San Francisco State men's basketball team to an electrifying 85-82 overtime victory over Cal State L.A. in front of a boisterous Homecoming Night crowd on Friday in the Main Gymnasium.
Trailing 65-53 with 1:34 left in the second half, the Gators (15-10, 8-9 California Collegiate Athletic Association) closed regulation play with a 17-5 run, forcing overtime on a Perdomo 3-pointer from the right wing at the buzzer.
SF State was never fronted in the extra period as Hoskins drained two clutch free throws with 11 seconds to go to help complete the season sweep of the Golden Eagles (11-10, 8-9 CCAA).
“It's a proud night to be a Gator,” said SF State head coach Bill Treseler. “Our guys showed their heart and courage throughout, and the crowd was the best I've ever seen here. Everyone gutted up, with Marquel (Hoskins), Nefi (Perdomo), Aaron Trigg (Suisun City, Calif., Armijo HS, Napa Valley College)and Daniel Trammel (Oceanside, Calif., El Camino HS)s tepping up in a huge way.”
Perdomo's big night featured a 9-for-14 performance from the floor and a 7-of-8 effort from the free-throw line, while Hoskins went 9-of-11 at the charity stripe and dished out a game-best six assists. Tim Pratt (Eureka, Calif., Eureka HS, College of the Redwoods), who tied Hoskins for team-high honors with seven rebounds, also contributed four assists and two blocks, while Trigg finished with seven points, including a key 3-pointer in the closing minute of regulation to go along with four boards.
CSULA had three players in double figures, led by Chris Fields' game-high 36 points, while Dwayne Jones and Carl Hoffman (13 rebounds) added 15 and 10 points, respectively. The Golden Eagles finished the game 26-for-53 in field goal attempts (49.1 percent), while SF State connected on 28 of its 66 attempts (42.4 percent). Yet despite a 40-36 deficit in rebounding, the Gators outscored their visitors 38-22 on points in the paint and 24-14 off turnovers.
CSULA led for most of the first half, save for Perdomo's triple at the 4:47 mark, which gave SF State a slim 22-21 edge. However, a Fields jumper with 1:22 before halftime capped an 11-3 run, putting the Golden Eagles back on top 32-25, before Derek Fletcher (San Jose, Calif., Branham HS) and Trammel hit free throws in the waning moments to give the contest its 32-27 score at the break.
In the second half, CSULA opened up a seven-point margin once again at 46-39 after a pair of Fields foul shots at the 10:49 mark. However, the Gators stormed back with a 10-0 surge as an old-fashioned 3-point play by Hoskins with 7:54 remaining in the period put the host school on top 49-46.
The Golden Eagles seized the momentum right back, however, fashioning a 19-4 run of their own over the next 6:20, as another pair of Fields free throws seemingly put the visitors in control at 65-53 with just 1:34 to go.
Consecutive baskets by Hoskins brought SF State to within six at 67-61 with 39 seconds left. CSULA then committed a turnover and subsequent foul, sending the Gators to the foul line for a two-shot opportunity. SF State was unable to convert, but after the second shot went awry, the Gators regained possession after the Golden Eagles touched the ball last as it went out of bounds in the right corner. Given new life, Trigg promptly delivered a 3-pointer from the deep left corner, cutting the deficit to 67-64 with 21 seconds in regulation.
After yet another two free throws by Fields, who went 14-16 from the charity stripe, Hoskins slashed through the lane for a layup with nine seconds to go and was fouled by Leland Jones in the process. The junior transfer completed the 3-point play, pulling SF State within 69-67.
Moments later, Fields went to the free-throw line once again, but was only able to sink the first of a two-shot opportunity as Pratt grabbed the rebound and got the ball to a darting Hoskins, whose long distance 3-point attempt from the top of the key hit the front of rim. Perdomo quickly gathered the offensive rebound in the lane and retreated beyond the arc, draining the equalizer as the horn sounded.
The Gators led by as many as five points in the overtime session; however a triple by Chris Robinson brought CSULA to within one at 83-82 with 38 seconds left in the game. Hoskins subsequently hit two free throws, while a last-ditch 3-point attempt by Dwayne King was off target, giving SF State the spirited victory.
The Gators, who are now just a game behind Chico State for fifth place in the CCAA standings, will look to make it three straight on Saturday when they entertain Cal State Dominguez Hills in another CCAA showdown in the Main Gym. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
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