ROHNERT PARK, Calif.– The SF State Gator men's basketball team rallied from a 10-point deficit to defeat the Dixie State Storm 79-75 this evening in the Second Round of the Ron Logsdon Classic in The Wolves' Den on the campus of Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, Calif.  With the win, the Gators improve to 3-0 on the season and finished the classic with a 2-0 record.  Nick Calcaterra and Jon McMurry each had career nights to lead the Gators with 22 and 17 points respectively.

"We struggled tonight unlike last night against Academy of Art, but we showed a lot of character and resiliency," said sixth-year head coach Paul Trevor. "This win puts us on the map and was a great win for our program against a traditional power like Dixie State."

The first half went back and forth with the Storm taking a 27-20 (the largest lead by either team in the half) on a dunk by Mark Ogden Jr., at the 5:39 mark.  SF State went on a 13-4 run in the next five minutes to take a 33-31 lead on a jumper by Brantley Bynum off an assist from McMurry. 

A three by Mason Sawyer gave Dixie State (1-4) back the lead at 34-33 heading into the locker room at the half.  The second half started like the first half did as it went back and forth until Dixie State took a 61-52 lead with 7:39 to go in the game on two made free throws by Brandon Simister.  Another three by Sawyer increased the Storm's lead to double digits (66-56) with just under five minutes to go in regulation.

SF State would not go away as the Gators went on a 15-2 run capped by an old-fashioned three-point play by Calcaterra to take a 71-68 lead with just 2:06 left in regulation.  An old-fashioned three-point play by Trevor Hill on Dixie State's next possession tied the game at 71, but Floyd Wormley's two made free throws gave the Gators back the lead at 73-71.

Once again, the Storm tied the game at 73-73 as Simister's two made free throws at the 1:12 mark. A Damien Rance jumper on SF State's next possession off a missed three gave the Gators back the lead, 75-73, for good as they went four-for-four from the line in the final 12 seconds of the game.  Wormley and Calcaterra each went 2-for-2 as the Gators held on for the 79-75 victory.

Calcaterra finished with 22 points, going 7-for-14 from the field including connecting on three of attempts from beyond the arc.  The junior guard also was a perfect 5-for-5 from the line and grabbed three rebounds.  McMurry scored 17 points off the bench for SF State, shooting 7-for-8 from the field including going three-for-four from beyond the arc. 

SF State had 15 assists on the night with just 8 turnovers.  Wormley with four assists while Bynum, McMurry and Coley Apsay each had two.  In his first start of the season, Israel Hakim had 9 points and a team high 7 rebounds. The Gators held Dixie State to just 29% shooting from three's while connecting on 42% of their attempts including Calcaterra and McMurry going a combined 6-for-13.

Dixie State was led by Ogden Jr.'s 16 points as he was one of four players in double digits for the Storm. 

SF State will return to action this Tuesday, November 24, when the Gators host Holy Names University in another important West Regional game against a Pac West opponent.  Tip-off for Tuesday night's game is 7pm at The Swamp at The Don Nasser Family Plaza. 

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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.