ROHNERT PARK– The SF State Gators shot 66% from the field including 63% from three's to key their 76-65 road conference over the Sonoma State Seawolves at The Wolves Den.
Jon McMurry had a game high 23 points while
Warren Jackson chipped in 14 points for the victors.
"We came out on fire in the first half as we were stepping into our shots," said SF State head coach
Paul Trevor. "Our team played an excellent job in the first half and we did a good job of holding on to the lead. "I am really proud of seniors to get this win on the road at Sonoma State."
SF State (13-9, 7-9 CCAA) hit its first two three of the game off the hands of
Coley Apsay and
Jon McMurry in the first two minutes of the game. James Davis' three put the Seawolves on the board, but the Gators went on a 24-3 run in the next nine minutes to take a 30-6 lead capped by back to back three's by Jackson and McMurry.
Sonoma State cut the Gator lead to 39-25 on a lay-up by Luke Cochran, but the visitors finished the half on a 12-2 run capped by a Jackson three off an assist from
Treaven Duffy to give SF State a 51-27 lead heading into the locker room.
SF State forced 9 turnovers by Sonoma State in the first half including six off of steals. The Gators also had 11 assists in the first half on 18 made baskets, three from Duffy and two each by Jackson, Apsay and
Damien Rance.
The Gators held Sonoma State (12-10, 7-9 CCAA) to just 40% shooting in the first half including 33% from three's as they took a 24 point lead into the second half.
In the second half, the Gators had a 20+ plus point lead for the first 11 minutes with the last one coming on two made free throws by Jackson with 9:09 left in the game (66-45).
The Seawolves had a 14-3 run in the next six minutes to cut the Gator lead to just 69-59 on an old-fashioned here-point play by Cochran. McMurry's lay-up stopped the hosts' run and increased SF State's lead to 71-59 with just 75 ticks on the clock. Cochran had a tip-in at the 00:51 mark of the game, but the Gators made five of their free throws down the stretch to take the 76-65 road conference win.
With the win, the Gators are now 12-2 when they score over 70 points in game. They also move into a tie for the sixth spot with Sonoma State for next month's CCAA Basketball Championships, March 1-5. SF State is a half game out of the fifth which is held by Cal State Monterey Bay.
The Gators finished the game with a season high 16 three's made led by McMurry's career high six and Jackson's three. They also had 15 assists with three players with three apiece in Rance, Apsay and Duffy.
Andy Mitchell led the Seawolves with 19 points off the bench while David Ahern chipped in 13 points and Cochran adding 11 points.
SF State will return home this Thursday, February 11 at 7:30pm, as the Gators host Cal State San Marcos in a CCAA match-up 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.
