HAYWARD, Calif.--- Stan State saw its rally from a 19-point first half deficit fall short this evening in a 68-61 loss to Point Loma in the CCAA/PacWest Challenge in Hayward, Calif. The Warriors cut the deficit to two (41-39) midway through the second half, but the Sea Lions held off Stan State for the victory.
Jeremiah Jones had 14 points for the Warriors who held their opponents to just 36% shooting from the field and forced 14 turnovers.
FIRST HALF: Ten minutes into the game, Point Loma built a 25-10 lead. The Sea Lions, who were receiving votes in the NABC/NCAA Division II Preseason Coaches' Poll, increased their lead to 33-14 on a Zack Paulsen three with four minutes left in the half. Stan State finished the half on an 8-0 run capped by an old-fashioned three-play by
Cameron Walker to cut the deficit to 33-22 heading into the locker room.
SECOND HALF: Stan State (1-1) kept its run going early in the second half. The Warriors cut the Point Loma lead to 36-28 on two made free throws by
Jonathan Tchengang just three minutes into the new stanza. Midway through the half,
Lloyd French's tip-in cut the Point Loma (4-0) lead to 41-39. The Sea Lions came right back with a 12-2 run to take a 53-41 lead keyed by a four-point play by Zack Paulsen at the 7:30 mark of the second half. The Warriors didn't' go away as they cut the deficit to four, 58-54, on a Tchengang jumper at the 3:12 mark. A trey by Coby Barnes gave Point Loma a 62-54 lead with two minutes left in the game. Stan State once again cut the deficit to a two-possession game, this time on a lay-up by
Jeremiah Jones (64-58) with just 23 seconds left in regulation. The Sea Lions went four-for-four from the line to secure the 68-61 victory.
1-1: Stan State finished the CCAA/PacWest Challenge 1-1 defeating Fresno Pacific 74-62 and losing to Point Loma 68-61. Point Loma went 2-0 with 83-66 victory over Cal State East Bay and its win over the Warriors. Cal State East Bay was 1-1 with a loss to Point Loma and a 76-67 victory over Fresno Pacific. The Sunbirds went 0-2.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES: Point Loma outscored the Warriors 33-22 in the first half and shot 40% from three-point land. Stan State outscored the Sea Lions 39-35 in the second half and held Point Loma to just 37% shooting from the field.
DEFENSE: Stan State held one of the best shooting teams in the nation to just 36.5% shooting from the field including 39% from three-point land. The Warriors forced 14 turnovers by the Sea Lions including seven by steals. Two came from
Cameron Walker with one each by
Daniel Ameyaw,
Jeremiah Jones,
Jonathan Tchengang,
William Chavarin, and
Jordan Smith.
ONCE AGAIN: For the second straight game, Stan State's bench outscored its opponents. This time it was 26-6. Leading the way for the Warrior bench was
Jason Zimmer's seven points followed by
Lloyd French with six.
William Chavarin and
Jason Cibull each had five points and
Jordan Smith chipped in three points.
JONES: Jeremiah Jones finished the first two games of the regular season averaging 14.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game. Jones shot 51.9% from the field, dished out four assists, and recorded one steal in the Warrior 1-1 weekend.
UP NEXT: Stan State will travel to Rohnert Park, Calif., for its next two games as the Warriors participate in the Ron Logsdon Basketball Challenge Presented by Cambria Hotel Sonoma Wine Country at The Wolves Den on the campus of Sonoma State University. The Warriors will face Western Oregon on Friday, November 15 and Hawai'i Pacific on Saturday, November 16. Tip-off for both non-conference contests are set for 5:00 p.m. After travelling to Sonoma State, the Warriors will go to Moraga, Calif., for a 7:00 p.m. starting exhibition game at Saint Mary's College on Wednesday, November 20. Their home opener is set for Saturday, November 23 at 3:00 p.m. against UC Merced
