ROHNERT PARK -- Cal State LA's men's basketball team turned in an electric performance Saturday in a record-setting win over Sonoma State.
Guard
Alexander Sokol set a new program record with nine 3-pointers to lead the Golden Eagles to an 86-62 California Collegiate Athletic Association win over Sonoma State in The Wolves Den. Cal State LA (7-14, 4-11 CCAA) put an end to an injury-riddled season with one of its best performances of the season.
The Golden Eagles were down to just seven players by the end of the season and all seven were major contributors on Saturday.
Head coach
Jim Saia pointed to his team's appreciation for the freedoms they enjoy in the United States and said his players' hearts were going out to the Ukrainian people and that inspired their tremendous play on Saturday.
Sokol led the way with a 9-of-17 performance from 3-point range as part of his season-high 29 points. Sokol reached 20 points or more for a team-best fifth time this season.
The Golden Eagles also got another tremendous performance from freshman
Shane Bell, who followed up his season-high 27-point performance on Thursday by scoring 20 points on Saturday. Bell also had five rebounds and six assists to complete his first season with Cal State LA with a flourish.
Sean Estes, who shared the previous 3-point record with eight, knocked down four 3-pointers on Saturday to finish with 12 points.Â
Jaylen Wells led Sonoma State (3-25, 3-19 CCAA) with 19 points.
Ben Uloko had a solid game for the Golden Eagles with 11 points and nine rebounds, while
Kyjuan Cannady had six points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals.
Cal State LA shot 50 percent for the game (32-of-64) and knocked down 17-of-38 attempts from 3-point range. Cal State LA also hit all five of its free-throw attempts. Sonoma State shot 45 percent (27-of-60) and made just 2-of-14 from 3-point range. The Seawolves were just 6-of-13 from the free-throw line.
Cal State LA had a 35-34 rebounding edge and committed only 11 turnovers to 13 for Sonoma State.
The Golden Eagles hit eight 3-pointers in the first half while jumping out to a 41-28 halftime lead and hit nine more on 18 attempts while stretching their advantage in the second half.
Cal State LA, despite all its injuries this season, returns all but two players for next season, including some sensational players who competed for the first time this season for the Golden Eagles.
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