CHICO, Calif.---- Despite SF State's post duo of
Donisha Tate (Oakland, California, Las Positas College) and
Dominique Hunter (San Francisco, California, Gateway) combining for 29 of the Gators' 43 points, SF State lost 49-43 to Chico State at the Wildcats' Acker Gym in a conference match-up in Chico.
Tate and Hunter also combined for 24 rebounds, while Natasha Smith paced Chico State with 17 points.
"Defensively, we played well, said SF State head coach Joaquin Wallace. "However, our 22 turnovers, including 13 in the second half and the lack of production from the perimeter was our demise," said SF State head coach Joaquin Wallace. "Hopefuly we can pull it together for the remaining nine games."
SF State jumped out to a 10-4 advantage in the first six minutes of the game and held that type of lead for the next 10 minutes until the Wildcats (11-7, 8-5 CCAA) outscored their visitors 10-5 to pull in front 21-20 heading into the locker room.
The beginning of the second half saw five lead changes and five ties in the first nine minutes, until the
Carly Cator (Lakewood, Colorado, Lakewood HS) gave the Gators a 35-31 lead on a triple with 9:16 to go in the game. Natasha Smtih's two made free throws and a jumper by Tyler Lydon tied the game at 35 with 7:35 left on the clock. SF State cut the Wildcat lead to one on two occasions in the final four minutes including the final time at 41-40, with 2:09 on two Hunter free throws.
Chico State then finished the game with an 8-3 run to give the Wildcats a 49-43 victory.The Gators (8-13, 4-9 CCAA) force 19 turnovers by Chico State while recording 13 steals, including three apiece by Tate,
Jessica Hout-Freeman (Fremont, California, Washington) and Andrea Ohlssen (Pacifica, Cal Poly Pomona)
Hunter finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds, her first double-double of the season, while Tate recorded her sixth straight and eighth of the season after scoring 16 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Synchro Bull added 10 points for Chico State.
SF State will continue its four-game road trip on Thursday, February 4 in Arcata against the Humboldt State Lumberjacks.
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