SAN FRANCISCO– The No. 16 San Francisco State men's basketball came up short in a battle of nationally ranked teams with the visiting UC San Diego Tritons.  The Gators lost 67-55 to the visiting No. 11 Tritons (14-2, 9-0 CCAA) to fall to 13-2 overall and 6-2 in the CCAA.

Anthony Ballesteros scored a game high 18 points to lead the visitors as they held the Gators to just 31% shooting from the field.  Adam Klie added 14 points while dishing out five assists and recording two steals for UC San Diego. Coley Apsay led the Gators with 16 points while Warren Jackson chipped in 11 points for the hosts who forced 15 turnovers by the Tritons including 8 by steal (two each by Apsay and Jackson). 

The Tritons jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the first nine minutes of the game.  A Nick Calcaterra three but the deficit to 16-12 off an assist by Jackson in the next two minutes.  UC San Diego increased its led back to ten with 23 seconds left in the half, but Derrick Brown's three at the buzzer cut the Triton lead to 31-24 heading into the half.

UC San Diego went on a 6-0 run in the first four minutes of the second half, but the Gators would not go away as they cut the deficit to 45-39.  The Tritons outscored the Gators 12-6 to increase their lead to 57-45 with 4:09 on the clock. 

Warren Jackson's lay-up with 49 seconds left in regulation cut the Triton lead to 61-55, but the Tritons scored the final six points of the game to take the 67-55 conference game.

SFSU will return to the court tomorrow evening at 7:30pm, when the Gators host Cal State San Bernardino in a conference match-up at The Swamp at The Don Nasser Family Plaza.  The Coyotes lost 66-56 at Sonoma State this evening in Santa Rosa. 

GAME NOTES
GATORS: No 16 SFSU fell to 13-2 overall and 6-2 in the CCAA, which places them in a tie for third place with Sonoma State.    
 
QUOTES FROM THE COACH: 'UC San Diego played a great game and set the tone early," said SFSU head coach Paul Trevor.  "We were playing catch up all night," added Trevor.  "We are still learning how to play with the elite teams of the conference.  These are tough lessons hopefully we can grow and be ready the next time.  I am proud of our guys' effort late in the game."
 
52-25: SFSU is now 52-25 at home during Coach Trevor's career on the sidelines at 19^th and Holloway.   
 
SNAPPED THAT STREAK: The Gators had their eight-game home winning streak this evening in their loss to UC San Diego. 
 
BACK HOME TOMORROW:  The Gators will return home tomorrow evening when they host Cal State San Bernardino at 7:30pm.  The Coyotes lost 66-56 at Sonoma State this evening.    
 
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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.

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