ROHNERT PARK — In a game pitting two of the best defenses in NCAA Division II, it was the leader Sonoma State holding off the Stanislaus State Warriors in a 56-47 decision Saturday night.

The Warriors, coming off two straight heart-breaking losses, just didn't have enough in the latter half of the game inside the Wolves' Den as they fall for the fourth straight game. Stan State is now 6-16, 3-12 in CCAA.

Sonoma State, Division II's top defense allowing just 58.6 points per game, was coming off a huge home win over Chico State Friday. The Seawolves (15-5) have won four straight to put themselves in a two-way tie for second place at 11-3, a half game behind leader UC San Diego (12-3).

Stanislaus had the CCAA's best opponents' field goal percent at 39.8 percent. Sonoma State third with a 40.2. Saturday night, SSU shot 43.2 percent while holding Stan State 11 points below its points allowed average.

Just as Stan State started to put together a run Saturday night — mainly off the shoulders of Vondel Faniel — the Warriors went on another dry spell to allow Sonoma State to surge ahead. Faniel made back to back layups to get Stanislaus within two points, 33-31, with 16:34 to play, but an 8-2 SSU run shifted the momentum and the Seawolves never looked back.

Sonoma State would build the lead up to a 16 after a 9-1 run late with less than four minutes left to play.

Faniel finished with a team-best 10 points, followed by Kaelen Mitchell's nine points. Faniel also had seven rebounds. Sonoma State was led by Jackson Gion with 12 points.

Stanislaus State will have just one game next week, a home contest on Thursday night, against Cal State San Marcos.