SAN FRANCISCO– The SF State Gator men's basketball team improved to 5-0 for the first time since 2008-09 when they started the season 7-0 with a 73-72 overtime win over the Academy of Art Urban Knights this afternoon at Kezar Pavilion in San Francisco.
Floyd Wormley had a team high 15 points to lead the Gators to the non-conference win. He was one of five Gators to score in double digits in the victory.
"It feels great to open up the season 5-0," said SF State head coach
Paul Trevor. "This was a tough road win for us," added Trevor. "We need to how to play with a lead and dig in on defense and stay on to top and to extend the lead."
Wormley had 15 points on 5 of 9 shooting from the field including 2-for-3 from three-point land while going 3-for-4 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed 7 rebounds while dishing out two assists and recording two steals. Also scoring in double digits for the Gators (5-0) were
Israel Hakim and
Coley Apsay each with 12 points while
Nick Calcaterra and
Brantley Bynum each chipped in 11 points.
SF State score the first 12 points of the game capped by a
Warren Jackson lay-up. The Urban Knights would not go away as they cut the deficit to just three (21-18) on a Herman Pratt jumper with 6:14 to go in the half. SF State finished the half outscoring its opponents 14-10 to take a 35-28 lead into the locker room.
The Gators shot 50% from the field in the first half while connecting on 81.8% of their attempts from the charity stripe. Academy of Art (2-4) was held to just 37% shooting from the field including just 38% from three-point land in the first stanza.
The visitors increased their lead to 41-32 on a Hakim lay-up in the first three minutes of the game, but the Urban Knights cut the deficit to 54-51 on a lay-up by Pratt with just 8:30 to go in the game.
A three by Apsay increased the Gator led to 57-51 on the visitors' next possession off an assist from Wormley. SF State increased its lead to double digits (64-51) on two made free throws by Jackson with just 4:24 to go in the game.
Serge Valdeolmillios' three capped a 17-4 run by the Urban Knights to the game at 68-68 to send the non-conference affair into overtime.
In the extra period, the Urban Knights scored the first four points to take a 72-68 led in the first minute of the extra period.
A three by Wormley off an assist from Apsay cut the deficit to 72-71 with just 1:54 left in the first overtime. The Gators held their opponents scoreless on their next possession and took the lead on an Apsay jumper off an assist from Wormley with just 75 seconds on the clock (73-72) as the Gators held on for the 73-72 non-conference win.
The Gators held the Urban Knights to 45% shooting while forcing 15 turnovers, 10 by steals (two each by Jackson, Wormley, and
Jon McMurry).
SF State out-rebounded the Urban Knights 32-27 led by Wormley and Hakim each with 7. The Gators were also 20-for-28 from the line with Bynum (5 for-5), Jackson (4 for 4) and Apsay (2 for 2) each going perfect in their attempts.
The Gators will return to the court this Friday, December 4 at 7:35 pm PST when they host No. 8 Chico State in both team's CCAA opener. First 500 SF State students will receive a Purple Out 2 t-shirt sponsored by the Department of Athletics at SF State. The Gator women will also host Chico State beginning at 5:35pm this Friday. Both games will be broadcast live on Comcast Hometown Network Channel 104.
Box Score---
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.
