SF State was led by senior Desiree Butler (Lancaster, California, Lancaster, Pasadena City College), who scored a game-high 14 points, while fellow classmate Krystle Mays (Long Beach, California, Chatsworth) and junior Donisha Tate (Oakland, California, Oakland, Las Posita College)added nine and eight points, respectively. Sophomore Dominique Hunter (San Francisco, California, Gateway) also contributed with a team-high nine rebounds to go along with three blocked shots.

 

The game started slowly as both sides tried to find an offensive rhythm. The Gators took an early six-point advantage at 11-5 after a Hunter tip-in at the 12:07 mark of the first half.  SF State was held scoreless, however, over the next 7:45 as UCSD scored 14 straight points to take 19-11 lead. A Butler layup ended the drought with 4:21 remaining, but the Tritons took control with a 15-5 run to close the half, increasing their margin to 34-18 by intermission.

 

Consecutive jumpers by Tate in the opening minute of the second half narrowed the gap to 34-22, but the Gators could draw no closer the rest of the way. UCSD led by as many as 30 points on three occasions in the period, including a 63-33 bulge with 5:42 left on the clock. The SF State defense kept the Tritons off the board for the remainder of the game, outscoring the visitors 15-0, but the deficit proved too much to overcome.

 

The Gators held a 51-45 edge in rebounding but committed 24 turnovers, compared to 16 miscues for UCSD. SF State finished the game shooting 21-for-66 (31.8 percent) from the field, while Tritons were 26-for-67 (38.8 percent), including 7-for-15 from beyond the 3-point arc.

 

Erin Noonan totaled 12 points to pace UCSD, while Chelsea Carlisle added 11.

 

The Gators hit the road next weekend for a pair of games in Southern California. SF State will face Cal State San Bernardino on Friday, Jan. 23, before tangling with Cal Poly Pomona on Saturday, Jan. 24. Both contests are slated for a 5:30 p.m. start.

Box Score