TURLOCK — Sometimes, learning just takes time.
 
Saturday, the youthful Stanislaus State men's basketball team showed its recent growth, stopping the game from getting away, then overcoming a double-digit deficit and running away in the second half to earn its first California Collegiate Athletic Association victory in a 76-55 triumph over Sonoma State at Ed & Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena.
 
The Warriors (3-6, 1-4 CCAA) have seen big runs make all the difference in each of their last five defeats, especially early. Chico State ran out to a 41-13 first-half lead on Nov. 27, Cal Poly Pomona erased a Stan State lead on Dec. 2 with a 13-3 first-half run, Cal State San Bernardino broke open a two-point contest on Dec. 4 with a 15-2 run over the final 5 1/2 minutes, Humboldt State used a 23-2 first-half run to earn a win on Dec. 11, and Division I Saint Mary's erased the Warriors' one-point halftime lead in the teams' exhibition game Tuesday with a huge second-half push.
 
Things looked headed the same way on Saturday as Sonoma State (1-9, 1-3 CCAA) hit two early 3-pointers and got out to an 8-2 lead. They grew that lead to double digits and were ahead by as much as 11 (22-11) on another trey from Michael Smith. The Seawolves still led by 10 at 26-16 with five minutes left in the opening period.
 
But Stanislaus State stayed steady and didn't let Sonoma State's runs get out of hand. In fact, after the Warriors called a timeout with 4 1/2 minutes left before halftime, they put together their own run – a 16-4 stretch that erased their 10-point deficit and gave them the lead for good at 32-30 heading into the break. Tony Singleton scored 11 of the Warriors' 16 points during the run, part of his game-high 20 points on the night.
 
Then in the second half, Stan State turned a close game into a blowout. A 23-7 run across eight minutes grew the Warriors' lead to an insurmountable 64-41. The Warriors outscored Sonoma State, 44-25, in the second half while shooting an impressive 62.1% from the floor as a team. Stanislaus State capitalized on 17 turnovers with 11 steals, resulting in 23 points off turnovers.
 
The Seawolves were led by 13 points from Jaylen Wells and 10 from Smith. Four Warriors were in double figures, including Singleton. Will Pallesi had 12 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal off the bench, Luis Salgado scored 12 points and had a game-high six rebounds, and Benno Zecic nearly had a double-double with 10 points and eight assists to go with five rebounds and four steals.
 
The Warriors close out the 2021 calendar portion of their schedule with a non-conference home game at 2 p.m. Monday versus Holy Names. Fans can purchase tickets and find all live coverage links on WarriorAthletics.com.