SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State women's basketball team received double- digit scoring performances from three players, but it wasn't enough as the Gators dropped a hard-fought 76-71 decision to visiting Humboldt State on Saturday in the Main Gymnasium. SF State was unable to overcome a 14-2 Lumberjack run late in the second half, falling to 11-10 on the season and 5-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. Meanwhile, HSU improves to 15-6 overall and 10-4 in league play.
“Humboldt State is a very good team and they outplayed us,” said Gator head coach Joaquin Wallace. “We didn't close the deal when we had a chance. When you're playing against a really good shooting team that makes a lot of 3-pointers like they do, it's difficult because with every two points you score, they score three. “
The Lumberjacks converted on 9-of-21 attempts from beyond the arc (42.9 percent) compared to the Gators' 1-for-6 (16.7 percent) clip.
In addition to
Desiree Butler (Lancaster, California, Lancaster, Pasadena City College), who tied for game-high honors with 20 points and nine rebounds, SF State received 13 points from
ZaLisha Oliver (Sacramento, California, Luther Burbank), while
Donisha Tate (Oakland, California, Oakland, Las Posita College) contributed 11 points to go along with nine boards.
Jessica Hout-Freeman (Fremont, California, Washington) also excelled on the defensive side, tying her career best with six steals.
HSU led throughout most of the first half, building a 22-13 advantage with 6:54 remaining in the period. Soon thereafter, the Gators scored three straight baskets to pull within 22-19, capped an Oliver jumper at the 5:16 mark. The Lumberjacks promptly widened the gap back to eight at 27-19, before SF State used an 8-0 spurt to tie the game at 27-27, following another Oliver basket with 1:22 left on the clock. The Gators then hit two free throws in the final 40 seconds of the half to claim a slight 29-28 edge at intermission.
The game turned into a seesaw affair in the second half, featuring 11 lead changes and nine ties. SF State enjoyed its biggest advantage of the period at 53-48 after a pair of Oliver foul shots with 12:13 remaining. However, HSU fought back with an 8-2 run to reclaim the lead at 56-55 on 3-point basket by Andrea Bobic at the 10:20 mark.
Oliver, who finished 7-of-9 from the charity stripe, connected on two more free throws to give the Gators their final lead of the evening at 61-59 with 7:41 remaining. On the ensuing possession, Katie Franci nailed a jumper to ignite a 14-2 run over the next 3:24, which gave the Lumberjacks a 73-63 cushion.
SF State would not go quietly, however, as Butler banked in a jumper from the left side of the lane to bring the Gators back into contention at 74-71 with 44 seconds left on the clock. Following an HSU turnover, SF State had one last chance, but a 3-point attempt was off the mark and after a foul, Bobic hit two free throws to account for the final outcome.
The Lumberjacks were paced by Bobic, who matched Butler's performance with 20 points of her own, while Franci (15 pts.), Brittany Taylor (14 pts.) and Bree Halsey (11 pts.) reached double figures as well.
The Gators return to the court for a pair of home games next weekend in the Main Gymnasium. SF State will square off against Cal State L.A. on Friday, Feb. 13, before a clash with Cal State Dominguez Hills on Saturday. Feb. 14. Both contests are slated for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff.
Box Score
