TURLOCK, Calif.--- The SF State Gators used a strong shooting first half to key their 75-71 road conference win over the Stanislaus State Warriors this evening in Turlock.
Jon McMurry paced the Gators with a career high 24 points including 14 in the second half to lead the way for the visitors.
"This was a good road win for us," said SF State head coach
Paul Trevor. "Our backs were against the wall after last night, but we bounced back with a big win and are coming home for two games next week."
Besides McMurry's 24 points,
Nick Calcaterra added 14 points and
Brantley Bynum chipped in 11 points for the Gators (9-6, 3-6 CCAA). Once again, the Gators' bench outscored their opponents this time 36-11 led by McMurry's 24 and
Treaven Duffy's 9.
"
Jon McMurry,
Nick Calcaterra and
Treaven Duffy stepped up big for us this evening," added Trevor. "We also received great leadership from
Andre Jones and
Floyd Wormley."
SF State shot 52.8% from the field including 64% in the first half. The Gators connected on 52.4% of their attempts from beyond the arc with 8 of them coming in the second half. They also had 16 assists to just 9 turnovers with Wormley and
Damien Rance leading the way each with three.
The first six minutes of the game was evenly played with the Gators leading 12-11, but they went on a 22-8 run capped by a Jones free throw to take a 34-21 lead with 5:26 left in the half. The Warriors cut the deficit to 35-26 on a lay-up by Kyle Gouveia, but the guests ended the half on a 10-1 run capped by a
Warren Jackson three to give SF State a 45-27 lead heading into the locker room.
SF State increased that lead to 54-33 on a three by Bynum off an assist from
AJ Kahlon in the first four minutes of the second half but the Warriors would not go away.
A three by Alek Carlson with 8:27 on the clock caopped a 23-2 run by the hosts as they cut the deficit to 63-56. SF State came right back and increased the lead to 67-56 as Bynum connected on a tip-in.
The Warriors (5-10, 4-6 CCAA) kept chipping away and finally tied hte game, 69-69, on a three by Christian Bayne at the 1:33 mark. McMurry put the Gators back up, 71-69, on their next possession on a lay-up. The hosts tied the game at 71-71 when Gouveia was fouled and made both free throws. The Gators retook the lead once again on a lay-up by Duffy with just 42 seconds on the clock.
The Warriors had two chances late to either tie the game or take the lead, but missed both including one with five ticks on the clock when Calcaterra grabbed the defensive rebound. The Gator sophomore was fouled and calmly made both free throws to give the visitors the 75-71 road win.
Kyi Thomas paced the Warriors with 20 points while Bayne added 13 and Gouveia had 10.
SF State will return home this Friday, January 22 for a scheduled 7:30pm PST conference game with Cal State East Bay. The Gators defeated the Pioneers 80-63 on New Year's Day in Hayward.
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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.
