SAN FRANCISCO – The twentieth ranked San Francisco State men's basketball team will have a split road and home schedule this week. The Gators begin the week on the road taking on Cal State San Bernardino on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. before returning home to host rival Sonoma State on Saturday, tip off for that game is also slated for 7:30 p.m.
For a record-setting sixth consecutive week, the Gators are ranked in the top-25 of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) NCAA Division II Men's Basketball rankings. This week, SFSU is ranked No. 20. The Gator are 14-2 overall and 7-2 in the CCAA.
As a team, SF State is averaging 79.1 points per game which ranks third in the CCAA. Defensively, the Gators allow just 65.6 points per contest which is fifth best in the CCAA and 18
th in the nation. The Gators are shooting 46.9 percent from the field and holding their opponents to a 38.1 field goal percentage, a mark that ranks fourth in the country.
Last weekend, the Gators went 1-1, falling at home to No. 11 UC San Diego 67-55. The Tritons held the Gators to a season-low 31.6 field goal percentage that contest. SF State rebound in a big way the following night, defeating Cal State San Bernardino 72-60 in a game they led wire-to-wire.
GAME NOTES
Gators In The Polls
For the sixth straight week, the Gators are ranked in the NABC Top-25. The Gators are currently ranked No. 20 with 94 points. Joining the Gators in the Top-25 from the CCAA are: UC San Diego (18
th), and Chico State (19
th). Sonoma State is receiving five votes.
March To 100 Wins
Seventh year head coach
Paul Trevor is four wins away from his 100 career victory as a head coach. Trevor enters this week with a 96-82 record. Trevor will become the fourth coach in San Francisco State history to reach the 100-win plateau, and is on pace to become the fastest coach in SF State history to achieve 100 career wins.
Who Is Hot
Senior guard
Coley Apsay is the player to watch for SF State. The native of Canyon Country, Calif., recorded a season-high 20 points in the win over Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday. The 20-point performance marks just the second time in his career he has scored 20 or more. His career high came last season against Humboldt State when he scored 23.
Gators On The Road
SF State is 7-1 away from the friendly confines of The Swamp at the Don Nasser Family Plaza this season. The Gators have wins over Western Oregon, and rival Sonoma State. Earlier this month the Gators defeated Cal State L.A. and Stanislaus State in back-to-back games, it became the Gators first CCAA road sweep since SF State defeated Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State East Bay in back-to-back days on Feb. 1-2, 2013.
About Cal State San Bernardino
The Coyotes enter Wednesday night's contest with an overall record of 6-7 and are 2-6 in the CCAA. CSUSB has lost three in a row and are just 1-1 this year at Coussoulis Arena. As a team, they are averaging 66.7 points per game and shooting 40.8 percent from the field. Their opponents are averaging 68.2 points per contest and shooting 43.3 percent from the floor.
Who To Watch
Senior Everett Turner recorded her first double-double of the season against the Gators last Saturday night. He finished with a team-high 14 points, while grabbing 11 rebounds. Turner is averaging 11.3 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per contest.
Series Versus The Coyotes
All-time the Gators are just 10-34 against Cal State San Bernardino in a series that dates back to Dec. 15, 1992 when the Gators defeated the Coyotes at home 84-79. At Coussoulis Arena SF State is just 3-19. Lately, the series has gone the Gators way, as SF State has won three of the last four contests against CSUMB, including Saturday's game at the Swamp in which the Gators defeated the Coyotes 72-60 in a game they led wire-to-wire.
About The Seawolves
Sonoma State enter this week riding a hot streak. The Seawolves have won five in a row dating back to a 70-68 overtime win over Cal Poly Pomona on Dec. 30. Sonoma State is currently 11-4 overall and 7-2 in the CCAA, tied for third with the Gators. As a team, they are averaging 64.0 points per game and shooting 45.4 percent from the field. Their opponents are averaging 57.0 points per game and shooting 38.3 percent from the field.
Who To Watch
Senior guard Jimmy Golden leads the Coyotes in points, averaging 11.6 points per game. Golden has scored 10 or more points in nine contests this season. Against the Gators on Dec. 9 SF State held him to a season-low two points. The following night he scored 20 against Cal State Monterey Bay.
Series Versus The Seawolves
All-time the Gators own a 49-40 advantage in the series that dates back to Feb. 3, 1967 when SF State defeated Sonoma State 104-75. The Gators are currently riding a two-game winning streak over the Seawolves. The last time these two teams faced each other was on Dec. 9, 2016 when the Gators beat the Seawolves 65-63 on the road.
--
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.
