SAN FRANCISCO – Visiting Cal State San Bernardino simply had no answer for senior forward
Udun Osakue. Osakue finished with a career-high 24 points as the Gators cruised to victory over the Coyotes 68-53. With the win the Gators open conference play 2-0 for the first time since 2010-11.
Osakue could not be contained, going 11-for-13 from the floor while grabbing five rebounds, four assists and two steals. He scored 11 of the Gators first 17 points during an opening stretch that saw SF State (4-2/2-0 CCAA) jump out to an early 17-7 lead that they would never relinquish.
The Coyotes (2-3/2-2 CCAA) scored the first bucket of the game, from there it was all SF State who led the game for 37 minutes. The Gators shot 55.6 percent from the floor in the opening period going 15-for-27. Osakue went 7-for-8 that half.
Joining Osakue in double figures was
Derrick Brown who also recorded a career-high, scoring 16, on 6-of-10 shooting including 2-for-4 from behind the arc.
Helping propel the Gators to victory was the total dominance in the paint. SF State scored 44 points inside the key, while the Coyotes only responded with 10. The Gators also forced 17 Coyote turnovers in the game that led to 21 points.
With 18:19 in the second half Brown scored a layup on an assist from
Andre Jones. That would be the largest lead of the night. The Coyotes did not go away quietly however. Midway through the second period CSUSB outscored the Gators 16-11 to cut the Gator lead to eight following a layup by Taylor Statham.
However the Gators responded with a layup from
AJ Kahlon his and Osakue that put the Gators back up 12. They never led by less than that the rest of the game even though the Coyotes were lighting it up from behind the arc in the second half.
Leading the Coyotes with 17 points was Gilbert Parga who went 5-for-8 from the floor and 4-for-5 from behind the three point line. Everett Turner joined him in double figure scoring 11.
Senior guard
Bren Haley finished the night with four points and five assists with four rebounds. Jones scored five points and added five boards.
Nick Calcaterra scored five points, none bigger than his three point bucket with 14:39 to play that put SF State back up 13 after a run by the Coyotes.
The Gators return to action next Friday, December 12 when they host Bay Area rival Sonoma State. Tip-off is slated for an 8:00 p.m. start. The Game is being billed as the "Purple Out" and fans in attendance are encouraged to wear purple to the game.
Complete Box Score (HTML)Post-Game Video--
Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 11 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
