The SF State men's basketball team shot their way to victory on Dec. 3 against the Cal State East Bay Pioneers 79-54, improving the Gators' overall record to 4-1 and their California Collegiate Athletic Association record to 2-0.

Students from both schools, including members of some of SF State's fall sports teams, packed the main gymnasium on Friday to watch the Gators play their first home game of the season. The home opener was the third game of the season in which SF State has won by an average of 20 points or more.

Spectators witnessed the Gators shoot 49 percent as a team and maintain a sizable lead during most of the game. Three players also recorded season highs in points, assists and three-point field goals.

"We played very good," said sophomore guard Nefi Perdomo, who scored 16 points in just 25 minutes. "We had a lot of intensity and emotion for our first home game."

Senior forward Tim Pratt, who finished the game shooting seven-for-eight from the field, scored 18 points and collected five rebounds. Co-captain Phoenix O'Rourke added 16 points of his own on a season-best four-for-six shooting from the three point line while fellow co-captain and guard Marquel Hoskins recorded a personal best eight assists.

"Marquel and Nefi did their thing tonight," O'Rourke said. "My point guard and the screens that my teammates made set up the opportunities to kick the ball out to me for the three point shot."

In addition, O'Rourke said he was not surprised to have so many wide open shots from the corners of "The Swamp."

"I like the corner shot," he said. "I have been sitting in the corner for all of my four years here. It is my favorite spot on the court."

First-year head coach Paul Trevor said that while he thought the team played hard, there were a few things he didn't particularly like about the way they played.

"East Bay exploited us a little bit," Trevor said. "They attacked our (pressure). On offense, when we get up, we get a little lazy. We need to keep attention to detail and get back to the film room and see what happened."

The Pioneers forced the Gators to commit eight turnovers in the first period and scored more second chance points.

Berkeley standout and sophomore guard Mark Samuels at times caused havoc for the Gators by scoring 17 points, grabbing seven rebounds and performing three assists. His teammate, George Toyama, contributed with nine points, including three from the free throw line.

Although the Gators were composed when the game began, the second half saw an increasingly amped SF State.

Not only did SF State end the first half with a 13-1 run, but they also went on an 18-2 tear with 17 minutes left in the game. They had five more second chance points, received 16 points from their bench, and outscored the Pioneers 28-8 in the paint.

"We are a fast-paced team," O'Rourke said. "We are smarter with the ball. We run more and are more disciplined on offense. We always want to go when we get the ball on offense."