November 29, 2008

Box Score

SEASIDE, Calif. – San Francisco State University's strong second half defense proved victorious against Seattle Pacific  University as the Gators won 70-65 in the second day opener of the Otter Classic on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2008.

The Falcons outshot SFSU 51.0 percent to 36.2 percent but the edge went to the Gators as they were 23-for-29 at the charity stripe.

SFSU's Alex Thomas scored a season-high 22 points and Robert Hayes added 11 points.
Sophomore Chris Banchero led the Falcons with 21 points on 9-for-12 from the floor. 

After the teams traded leads five times over the first nine minutes of the game, the Falcons went on a 9 - 0 run and took a 22-13 lead on junior Colby Vranes three-pointer before SFSU called a timeout.

The Gators closed the lead to 30-27 on a free throw by Hayes with four minutes left in the half and SPU took a 34-30 advantage into the locker room.

Thomas got hot for the Gators, scoring five straight points to give the Gators a 46-41 advantage. SFSU took its largest lead of the game, 61-49, on a three pointer by Thomas with four minutes left.

SPU's Casey Reed made a jumper to tighten the gap to 65-63 but four made free throws distanced the Gators lead.  Junior Adam Wardell's layup with 10.7 on the clock made it 69-65.  A final free throw by Hayes secured the Gators 70-65 victory.