ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Westminster men's basketball team slipped to 0-2 to start the season after a 59-57 loss against Sonoma State on Saturday evening in the third game of the Dixie State/Wingate Thanksgiving Classic.
 
Westminster hung in the game despite shooting just 30.2 percent from the field by forcing Sonoma State (4-2) into 19 turnovers and converting them into 21 points. The Griffins hit just 4 of 14 from beyond the arc and were out-rebounded 38-26.
 
After bursting out to a 16-8 lead less than seven minutes into the game, Westminster saw Sonoma State tie the game at 20-20 with 5:35 to play in the first half. The Griffins would eventually take a 32-30 lead into halftime.
 
The Seawolves opened the second half on a 14-6 run to take a six-point lead that they never relinquished. Westminster twice tied the game in the final four minutes, including at 57-57 on a Dayon Goodman layup with 57 seconds to play.
 
Sonoma State responded with a bucket in the paint by Khalid Johnson to hold the 59-57 lead with 30 seconds to play. The Griffins had four shots on their last possession, but failed to put one in with Goodman having the second of his two chances blocked as time expired.
 
Westminster made just five baskets in the second half and they were 0 of 5 from three. They took advantage of the foul line by making 15 of 19 in the half to finish the game at 81.8 percent with 27 makes.
 
Goodman led the Griffins with 17 points after making 13 of 15 at the stripe. He earned his first double-double of the season with 10 rebounds and he had three steals. Casey Evans and Travis Devashrayee scored 10 points apiece in defeat.
 
Sonoma State shot 42.3 percent from the field and outscored the Griffins 34-16 in the paint. Luke Cochran led the Seawolves with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and the block on Goodman at the end.
 
Westminster will now head to Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action. They host Western State Colorado on Friday at 7:30 p.m. MST in the Behnken Field House. Tickets for the RMAC opener are now available at WestminsterGriffins.com/tickets.