SAN FRANCISCO--- For the second straight game, SF State Gators tried to rally from a double digit deficit with a minute left but this time their rally fall short as the visiting Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros held on for a 62-57 victory this evening at SF State's Main Gymnasium. Jamel Ward paced the Toros with a game high 15 points.
“We did a lot of things well and we played with good toughness,” said SF State Head Coach Bill Treseler. “
Jeremy Francis (San Francisco, California, Mayville State University) gave us a good shot in the arm,” added Treseler. “It's definitely, the home stretch and our play this week is encouraging as we head for a great finish.
The first half saw multiple lead changes and ties with back to back three's by
Jeremy Francis and
Nefi Perdomo giving the Gators a 17-15 lead with 10:42 to go in the half. SF State increased its lead to 22-17 on a three by
Phoenix O'Rourke (San Mateo, California, Junipero Serra), but the Toros went on a 14-0 run capped by James Cawthorne's two made throws as they increased their lead to 31-22. SF State finished the half on a 6-0 run capped by a
Marquel Hoskins (Beloit, Wisconsin, Reedley College) jumper which cut the visitors' lead to just 31-28 heading into the locker room.
Cal State Dominguez Hills (13-10, 13-5 CCAA) scored the first four points of the second half to take a 35-28 lead, but O'Rourke hit another three off an assist from
Derek Fletcher (San Jose, California, Branham) to cut the Toros' lead to 35-31 with 17:51 to go in the game.
Tim McLaurin's three with 10:12 left on the clock capped a 10-3 run by Cal State Dominguez Hills to give the Toros a 45-34 lead. The Toros increased their lead to 56-48 with 1:06 to go in the game, but the Gators would not give up as a
Marquel Hoskins' three with 44 seconds left cut the visitors' lead to 58-51.
Marquintise Davis hit two free throws with 28 seconds left to give the Toros a 60-51 lead, but
Aaron Trigg hit a three for SF State to cut the lead back to six (60-54) with 11 ticks on the clock.
James Cawthorne hit a free throw as did Davis surrounded by a three by
Nefi Perdomo (Oakland, California, Skyline )to make the final 62-57 Toros.
The Toros held the Gators to 36.8% shooting from the field and forced 16 turnovers by the hosts. SF State (15-11, 8-10 CCAA) did shoot 54.5% (12-22) from three-point land led by Perdomo's four and O'Rourke's and Francis' three. Perdomo paced the Gators with 14 points while Francis chipped in 11 and O'Rourke added 10.
The Gators will return home for their final two home games of the regular season next week beginning with Friday, February 19
th's game with UC San Diego. SF State is currently in seventh place in the CCAA, one game behind sixth place Cal State LA and one game ahead of eighth place Sonoma State.
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