SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - The California State University San Bernardino men's basketball team defeated the Sonoma State Seawolves 81-79 Saturday afternoon in CCAA play at Coussoulis Arena.
With the win, the Coyotes improved to 18-9 overall and 11-7 in CCAA play.
The game began with back-and-forth action, as neither team held more than a three-point lead in the first six minutes. Sonoma eventually stretched their lead to 19-13.
CSUSB responded with a 15-2 run, taking their largest lead of the game at 28-21. Senior Jordan Jones (Macon, Ga.) sparked the run with a three-pointer. Jones played the entire game, finishing with 18 points, tying his season-high.
Senior Andrew Henderson (Chatsworth, Calif.), a former Seawolf who led all scorers with 26 points, contributed seven of the next nine points to make it 25-20. Graduate student Evan Oliver (San Bernardino, Calif.) capped the run with a three-pointer. Senior Charlie Henderson (Ladera Ranch, Calif.) also made key contributions, adding a dunk and several blocks during the run. He finished with a season-high four blocked shots.
Sonoma State then responded with a 15-2 run of their own, regaining the lead at 36-30. Andrew Henderson and Oliver each scored in the closing seconds of the half, cutting the Seawolves' lead to 36-34 at the break.
Sonoma State couldn't miss in the second half, shooting 16-for-21 from the field, including 5-for-8 from three-point range. Despite their hot shooting, they couldn't extend their lead past seven points and led for most of the half. They were up 61-55 with 9:52 remaining, but CSUSB began to rally. Jones hit a three-pointer, and Charlie Henderson followed suit on the next possession after an Andrew Henderson steal. The teams traded baskets until a key stop by CSUSB allowed them to take a 69-65 lead after a layup by senior Nic Welp (Seattle, Wash.).
The game remained tight down the stretch, with Andrew Henderson hitting a three-pointer to give the Yotes a 77-74 lead. Sonoma State tied it up with an and-one layup with 55 seconds remaining. CSUSB then hit two crucial free throws to take a 79-77 lead with 39 seconds left.
Sonoma State went to the line again, converting two free throws with less than 30 seconds remaining to tie the game at 79-79.
After calling their final timeout with 21 seconds left, Andrew Henderson calmly hit the game-winning jump shot with just 0.7 seconds remaining, securing the victory for the Coyotes.
Up next, the Coyotes host Cal State East Bay on Thursday. Tip-off at Coussoulis Arena is slated for 5:30 p.m.
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