TURLOCK — This is a completely different brand of Warrior basketball.
With the athletic talents and guys that can run up and down the court and shoot, the new-look Warriors show they will be exciting to watch in 2017-18 as they blew out visiting Pacific Union, 105-69, Wednesday night inside the Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena.
Sure, it was an exhibition game against a NAIA team. But it was the way the Stan State team played — especially on offense.
The starting five made their first eight shot attempts and ran out to a 21-4 lead in the game's first three minutes. In fact, the Warriors were up 18-0 before the Pioneers made a pair of free throws. Among the first eight buckets were three three-pointers — two by
Andy Cleaves — and a dunk by Cleaves.
Pacific Union only got as close as 15 points with five to go in the first half and again with less than two to play. But
Kaelen Mitchell nailed a triple to start a 10-4 run for a 53-32 lead at the break.
In the end, Mitchell led the way with 19 points including 5-of-5 from the three-point arch. Cleaves finished with 17 points and only missed one shot (6-for-7).
Jaelen Ragsdale came off the bench to run the second team offense and scored 15 points.
Ty Davis had six rebounds and six assists and
Caleb Baskett dished seven assists.
Xavier Francois was the top rebounder with eight boards.
As a team the Warriors shot 60.3 percent from the brand new Fitzpatrick Arena floor. They were also 15 of 30 from the arch.
Pacific Union played well and kept up with Stan State at times. The Pioneers were led by Brandon Franklin with 16 points. Jeremiah Blandin had 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Stanislaus State will have one more preseason exhibition game on Saturday when the Warrior travel to take on Division I UC Riverside.