Menlo News
Men's Basketball - Fri, Nov. 6, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Opening the season on the road versus an NCAA Div. I foe proved to be only a little more than Menlo College was ready for as the Oaks fell 63-45 to Sacramento State at the Hornets Nest in each teams only exhibition of the season on Thursday night.
 
Despite going up against a program playing at the highest level of college athletics and features nine players 6-foot-5-inches or taller - as opposed to Menlo's two - the Oaks hung with the Hornets late into the second half before fading. Menlo trailed 31-18 at the break after Sacramento State sunk a 3-pointer to end the first half, but were within 47-41 with less than eight minutes to play. The Oaks cold shooting night turned frigid down the stretch, however, as they went without a field goal in the final eight minutes, 45 seconds of the game.

 

Senior Tim Kees led Menlo with 21 points in 29 minutes of action. Kees made 6-of-13 field goal attempts and was perfect in eight attempts from the charity stripe while adding a team-high six rebounds. Junior transfer Drew Davis had a successful Oaks debut, totaling 11 points, five rebounds and two steals. Nick McCullar finished with four points, five rebounds and two blocks while Julian Harris scored four, Dejon Grant three, and Tyler Rajnus two.

 

Freshman John Dickson led 10 Sacramento State scorers with 16 points. The Hornets shot 40 percent from the field to Menlo's 30 percent, but made as many free throws as the Oaks (13) in 10 more attempts.

 

Menlo opens its regular season on Monday, Nov. 16 against another NCAA Div. I opponent in Santa Clara. The Oaks travel to take on the Broncos for a 7 p.m. tip-off in what will be Santa Clara's third game of the season.