ARCATA, Calif. – The San Francisco State women's basketball team rang in the New Year on a sour note, falling to Humboldt State, 60-40, Friday night at Lumberjack Arena in Arcata, Calif. HSU forced 16 first-half turnovers and held the Gators to their lowest scoring output of the season to improve to 7-3 overall and 2-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Meanwhile with the defeat, SF State slips to 7-3 on the year and 1-2 in conference play.

 

“Tonight Humboldt State played inspired basketball and we were unable to match their intensity for a full 40 minutes,” said Gator head coach Joaquin Wallace. “We need to learn from this experience and be ready to play a quality Sonoma State team (on Saturday).”

 

Both teams stumbled out the gate, combining for just three baskets in the first 5:40 of the contest. SF State missed its first six shots until a jumper by freshman Marlee Rice (Los Angeles, California, Venice) at the 14:20 mark broke the drought, making the score 4-2 in favor of the Lumberjacks. The Gators could not gain the upper hand, however, as HSU went on a 17-8 run, capped by Tricia Alaba's 3-pointer, which put the home team up by a 21-10 count with 4:28 remaining. 

 

SF State picked itself off the mat with an 8-0 flurry of its own as a layup by senior Krystle Mays (Long Beach, California, Chatsworth) brought the Gators to within 21-18 at the 2:23 mark. However, the Jacks kept the visitors off the scoreboard for the rest of the period, while adding a pair of baskets to take a 25-18 advantage into the locker room.

 

SF State pulled to within five points on three occasions in the first 3:24 of the second half, but could draw no closer. After a jumper by junior Jessica Hout-Freeman (Fremont, California, Washington) at the 16:36 mark trimmed the deficit to 31-26, HSU fashioned a 23-12 run over the ensuing 12-plus minutes to put the game out of reach.

 

Senior Desiree Butler (Lancaster, California, Lancaster, Pasadena City College) led the Gators with 14 points, while Mays added a team-high eight rebounds to go along with six points and two steals. With her effort, Mays is on the threshold of joining Angel Floyd (1979-81) as the only players in school history to compile 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 200 steals. Mays now has 974 points, 603 rebounds and 199 steals in her SF State career.

 

The Gators will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Sonoma State for a CCAA clash with the Seawolves beginning at 5:30 p.m. 

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