LOS ANGELES – The San Francisco State women's basketball team got a double-doubles from junior Donisha Tate (Oakland, California, Oakland, Las Posita College) and sophomore Dominique Hunter (San Francisco, California, Gateway), but it wasn't enough as the Gators came up short against Cal State L.A., 60-56, in a California Collegiate Athletic Association contest Saturday at the Eagles Nest in Los Angeles. 

 

SF State was unable to shake its shooting woes for the second straight night, converting just 22 of 78 field-goal attempts (28.2 percent) to fall to 7-6 on the season and 1-5 in conference action. Meanwhile with the victory, CSULA snapped a nine-game losing streak to improve to 2-11 overall and 1-5 in the CCAA.

"We played with much more passion and energy tonight," said SF State head coach Joaquin Wallace.  "However, we need to  execute our transition offense better and take advantage of our easy scoring opportunities."

 

The Gators jumped out to an 18-9 advantage after junior Jessica Hout-Freeman (Fremont, California, Washington) corralled an offensive rebound and nailed a jumper at the 11:34 mark of the first half. However, the Eagles came roaring back with a 17-4 outburst to take a 26-22 lead following a 3-pointer by Sarita Stamps with 4:10 remaining.

 

SF State regrouped at this juncture, closing the period with an 8-2 run of its own to take a slim 30-28 margin into the locker room.

 

The Gators maintained the upper hand in the early stages of the second half, building a 47-39 cushion following a basket by Hout-Freeman at the 12:49 mark. However, SF State was unable to distance itself any further as CSULA fought back with a 12-1 run over the next six minutes to go back in front by a 51-48 count with 6:49 remaining.

 

The Gators reclaimed a 53-51 advantage moments later following a triple by senior Desiree Butler (Lancaster, California, Lancaster, Pasadena City College) and a Hunter jumper with 3:57 left on the clock. The SF State lead quickly evaporated, however, as a 3-point play by Amber Whittington and bucket by Ashley Kitchen put the Eagles ahead to stay at 56-53 with 1:46 remaining. The Gators managed just one field goal the rest of the way, but it proved to be too little too late.

 

Hunter notched her second double-double of the season with a game-high 15 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Tate, meanwhile, tallied a team-best 13 rebounds while scoring 13 points for her first career double-double.

 

CSULA was paced by Whittington's 14 points, while Sequoia Crandell pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds.

 

SF State resumes its road trip on Thursday, Jan. 15, when it travels to Seaside, Calif., to face Cal State Monterey Bay. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.

Box Score