SAN FRANCISCO– The SF State Gators won their regular season home opener tonight by a 78-76 score in overtime over the visiting Pacific Union Pioneers (1-2). The Gators, under the direction of head coach
Paul Trevor, are 28-8 at home since the 2012-13 season.
Warren Jackson and
Nick Calcaterra led the way for the hosts each scoring 12 points.
Besides Jackson and Calcaterra each with 12 points,
Treaven Duffy and
Coley Apsay each had 11 points while
Floyd Wormley chipped in 10 points. The Gators had 18 assists on their 31 made field goals with
Brantley Bynum leading the way with 6 and Wormley adding four. SF State also forced 18 turnovers by the Pioneers including 12 off of steals with Apsay's three leading the way.
The Gators (1-0) built a 36-21 lead with 5:44 on an old-fashioned three-point play by Calcaterra. SF State had its lead cut to 44-34 heading into the locker room at the half.
The Pioneers chipped away at the hosts lead and took it at the mid-way point of the second half on a tip-in by Chris Dorsey (55-52). Pacific Union were 8-for-9 from beyond the arc in the second half. The visitors finished 15-for-25 from three-point land.SF State outscored the Pioneers 8-5 in the next six minutes to take a 64-60 lead on a lay-up by Wormley. The Gators held on to that lead until Mike Hill's three gave the visitors a 71-70 lead with just 33 ticks on the clock.
The Gators' Jackson made a steal with 8 seconds and then was fouled, he connected on one of his two attempts from the line as the game was sent into overtime tied at 71-71.
Wormley made two free throws on the Gators' first possession of overtime to give the hosts a 73-71 lead. Pacific Union tied it at 73-73 on a tip-in by Kwuan Guerrero, but the Gators' Duffy made a lay-up off an assist by Bynum to give the Gators the 75-73 lead, a lead they would not relinquish.
Jackson's three sealed the game for the Gators off an assist from Duffy with 80 seconds left as the hosts took the 78-76 non-conference victory.
SF State also had five blocked shots led by Wormley's two and also were 10-for-11 from the charity stripe. Apsay was 4-for-4 while Wormley went 2-for-2 and Duffy made his only attempt.
Mike Hill paced the Pioneers with 23 points while Jarron Crump added 19 and Allan Santos chipped in 19 points.
The Gators will return to the hardwood this Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21 as they participate in the Ron Logsdon Classic on the campus of Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park. SF State will first face Academy of Art this Friday and then take on Dixie State a week from tonight. Tip-off for both games are 5:30pm. The Gators will return home on Tuesday, November 21 at 7pm for a non-conference game with Holy Names University at The Swamp at The Don Nasser Family Plaza.
Box ScorePost-Game Video----
Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 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.
