LA JOLLA, Calif. – Damario Sims says he plays around during practice and calls himself “The Closer.” Now he won’t be the only one. The man already known as “Cookie” and “Memo” earned himself another nickname with an 18-foot game-winning jumper at the buzzer, capping a crazy final 12 seconds and lifting the Chico State men’s basketball team to its most magical of wins during an already magical season, 76-74 against rival Sonoma State.
The Wildcats trailed for almost the entire game but got a three-point play from freshman Jordan Semple to get to within one point with 24 seconds left. They employed a full-court press that the Seawolves easily broke resulting in a dunk and leaving Sonoma State 12 seconds away from its third straight win against the Wildcats this season.
That alley-oop actually helped the Wildcats on the road to victory, leaving them time to come back.
The Wildcats got quickly back down the floor and Jay Flores found a wide-open Amir Carraway on the wing. Carraway canned a deep 3-pointer to tie the game with 12 seconds left.
Sonoma State was quickly back the other way with numbers, but like a defensive back, Flores tracked down Seawolves point guard Steven Pratt who was dribbling out toward the left wing, poked the ball away, and grabbed it. Flores flicked a pass to Josh Jackson, got up, and got the ball back with about five seconds left. He dribbled down the center of the floor, glanced at the clock and found he had some time. Just enough time to get to the free throw line, find Sims alone on the wing, and watch his teammate knock down the game winner.
“As far as the last minute, honestly, I kind of blacked out,” admitted Flores, who transferred from Sonoma State following his freshman season after Pratt won the starting point guard job. “I just definitely know Memo hit the shot. That’s all I really remember.”
And he’ll remember it for a long time to come.
Sims had missed six of seven shots before the game winner.
“I was having one of my worst games of the season,” admitted Sims. “I credit Sonoma State though. They played a great game. All I kept saying to myself was, if I get it, I’m going to shoot it. And if I shoot it, I’m going to make it.”
Sims credited Wildcats Head Coach Greg Clink for giving him the chance to win it.
“I only made one of my first seven shots, but at the end of the game I knew if there was one person in the gym that still had confidence in me it was coach Clink. So he gets a lot of the credit. He could have easily taken me out of the game,” he said.
The Wildcats advanced to the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament title game for the first time with the win. They’ll face another long-time north state rival, Humboldt State, for the title Saturday at 5 p.m. A win would tie the program record for wins in a season.
The CCAA’s regular-season champions, Chico State (24-6) had beaten every team on its schedule this season except Sonoma State.
For most of the game Friday, it looked like that disturbing trend would continue. The Wildcats missed 17 of their first 20 3-point attempts, the trio of Sims, Flores and Sean Park were a combined 4-of-18 shooting at one point, and the Wildcats were having one of their worst defensive performances of the season in terms of points allowed.
But they still believed.
“They kind of had us up against the ropes. But the belief we have as a group of guys gave us a chance to win,” said Flores.
A mix of belief, Semple, Carraway and Jason Conrad, anyway. Semple finished with 17 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Carraway scored 17 of his 19 points in the second half. Conrad finished with 11 points and six boards.
“I’d have to see the film to break down the play-by-play, but I do know there were multiple guys stepping up and making great plays and then Damario knocking down maybe the biggest shot of his life,” said Clink.
Clink will likely spend most of his film time watching Humboldt State tonight. The Wildcats beat Humboldt State twice this season by a combined eight points. Both teams came down to the wire.
“ We swept them this year so they’re going to be hungry just like we were tonight,” said Semple.
Sims is predicting a tough battle as well.
It’s going to come down to defense,” said Sims. “Whoever is going to defend for 40, 45 or 50 minutes is going to win it.”
Overtime? Double-overtime? Will the cardiac ‘Cats strike again?
BOX SCORE
Game 1
Humboldt State 74, Cal Poly Pomona 70
The Lumberjacks used a 16-6 run over the final 4:22 to advance to the title game. Randy Hunter scored 24 points, Brandon Sperling 17, and DJ Broome dished out nine assists for Humboldt State, which improved to 21-7. The win was a big one for Humboldt State, which entered the weekend ranked No. 8 in the West Region, one spot behind Cal Poly Pomona.
Matt Rosser led Cal Poly Pomona (19-8) with 18 points. The Broncos entered the weekend ranked No. 7 in the West Region. They’ll find out about a possible NCAA Championship Tournament bid Sunday night.
BOX SCORE
