SAN FRANCISCO – Freshman Marlee Rice (Los Angeles, California, Venice) came off the bench in the second half to score a season-high 15 points, but it wasn't enough as the San Francisco State women's basketball team dropped a tough 51-49 decision to Chico State on Saturday in the Main Gymnasium. With the defeat, the Gators fall to 4-2 on the season and 1-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, while Wildcats raise their record to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in league play.

 

SF State was unable to get on track offensively for the second straight night, hitting just 36.8 percent of its field goals on 21-for-57 shooting. However, the Gators were able to keep the game close largely by forcing 21 Chico State turnovers, including 13 in the first half.

 

“I think the staple of this team is our defense,” said SF State head coach Joaquin Wallace. “Offensively however, we need to convert the easy baskets. The three things we stress are lay-ups, put-backs and free throws, and tonight we missed our share of all three, which was critical to the game. But, we'll learn from this loss.”

 

The Wildcats threatened to make the game a runaway after a lay-up by Christine Vest gave the visitors their largest lead of the opening period at 26-18 with 4:12 left before the break.

 

However, the Gator defense tightened at this stage and kept Chico State off the scoreboard for the remainder off the half, taking advantage of three Wildcat miscues in the process. Then, a pair of tip-ins by senior Krystle Mays (Long Beach, California, Chatsworth)and a jumper from junior Madeleine Schwartz (San Rafael, California, Terra Linda, Arizona State University) pulled SF State to within 26-24 by intermission.

 

In the second half, Chico State was once again poised to take control of the ballgame after increasing its lead to 33-26 on a Melinda Richardson lay-up. Shortly thereafter however, Rice entered the contest and provided a much-needed spark as the Gators reeled off eight straight points to grab their first lead of the evening at 34-33 with 13:32 remaining. After senior Desiree Butler (Lancaster, California, Lancaster, Pasadena City College) converted a lay-up, free throw and 3-pointer, Rice came up with steal and drove down the court for the go-ahead score.   

 

The game turned into a back-and-forth affair at this juncture, with Rice scoring SF State's next 13 points over a 12:27 stretch, including a lay-up at the 1:05 mark, which pulled the Gators to within one at 48-47.

 

“This was a good breakout game for Marlee,” coach Wallace added. “She's been working very hard in practice and so she's earned the right to receive more playing time. We've been waiting to put her in the right situations, but she's been solid in every game that she's played in.”

 

After the two teams traded baskets, which made the score 50-49 in favor of Chico State, SF State had a golden opportunity following a free-throw miss on the front end of a 1-and-1 by the Wildcats' Cory Edwards.  However, the Gators were unable to corral the loose ball, and Edwards subsequently converted on one of two free throws, giving the visitors a slim 51-49 lead.

 

SF State had one last chance, but junior Donisha Tate's (Oakland, California, Oakland, Las Posita College) tip-in attempt off a Butler missed 3-pointer was unable to fall through the net, saddling the Gators with the hard-luck loss.

 

In addition to Rice's heroics, Butler scored eight points and added a team-high four assists, while Tate pulled down a season-high 12 rebounds. Chico State was paced by Vest, who was the game high scorer with 17 points.

 

SF State resumes its five-game homestand on Tuesday, December 9, when it battles Notre Dame de Namur in a non-conference tilt beginning at 6:15 p.m.

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