SANTA BARBARA–   Playing in their second exhibition game on the road in four days, the SF State Gators fell 66-45 to the NCAA Division I Big West Conference member UC Santa Barbara Gauchos at the Thunderdome in Santa Barbara.  Floyd Wormley led the way for SF State with 12 points.

"We played tough, but we were just not sharp offensively this evening," said SF State head coach Paul Trevor.  "UC Santa Barbara was physical and we just did not execute on the offensive end."

Wormley had four made field goals including a made three while going 3-for-4 from the charity stripe.  The senior post player also had six rebounds (five offensive), dished out four assists and recorded a steal in 28 minutes. Warren Jackson added 8 points for the visitors while Nick Calcaterra and Brantley Bynum chipped in 7 and 6 points respectively.

"Floyd (Wormley) and Nick (Calcaterra) did a nice job for us tonight," added Trevor.  "Tonight was a great learning experience for us as we played in a hostile environment which will help us on the road in the CCAA."

The Gauchos, who are picked to finish second in the Big West Conference, were led by John Green with 23 points and 12 rebounds while pre-season all conference pick, Michael Bryson added 20 points.

UC Santa Barbara jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the first ten minutes of the game, but SF State cut the deficit to 22-21 on a three by Calcaterra with two minutes left off an assist from Wormley.  A Green jumper gave the Gauchos a 28-25 lead heading into the half. 

The Gators held their hosts to just 37.9% shooting from the field in the first half including just 15% from three-point territory.

The hosts outscored SF State 9-2 in the first five minutes of the second half, but a Ryne Williams' three capped a 5-0 run by the Gators to cut the deficit to 37-34 with 12:25 left in regulation.

UC Santa Barbara held the Gators scoreless in the next five minutes to increase its lead to 46-34.  A Brantley Bynum jumper stopped the scoring drought and put SF State within ten (46-36), but the hosts outscored the Gators 19-6 in the next six minutes as they took the exhibition game 66-45. 

The Gauchos held SF State to just 25% shooting from the field including 26% from three-point land.

SF State will finish off its exhibition season this Friday, November 13 at 8pm for a game in Moraga, Calif., with West Coast Conference power Saint Mary's College.  The Gators will open up their 2015-16 regular season this Saturday, November 14 at 7pm when they host the Pacific Union College Pioneers at The Swamp at Don Nasser Family Plaza.
 
-----,
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.