SAN FRANCISCO – In the final game of the CCAA/Pac West Challenge, it was the visiting Notre Dame de Namur Argonauts holding on to defeat the SF State Gators 56-47. Katie Zasly led the way for the Argonauts with a game high 17 points while Laura Zasly chipped in 15 and Emily Vore added 10 points.
Angela Van Sickel (Whittier, California, Saint Paul HS) paced the Gators with a season high 14 points.
“First and foremost, I am happy of the outcome of the games with the participants of the tournament,” said SF State Head Coach Joaquin Wallace. “I am hoping to grown this tournament into an elite event in the future,” added Wallace. “As a team, we are young and we struggle with consistency,” noted the Gator head coach. “I am hopeful we can play well throughout the conference season.”
Notre Dame de Namur outscored the Gators 24-6 in the first nine minutes of the game. SF State came back though as the Gators went on a 20-2 run to cut the visitors' lead to just 26-22 on a three by
Angela Van Sickel with a minute to go in the first half. Laura Zasly's three gave the Argonauts a 29-22 lead going into the half.
The Argonauts increased tier led to 43-28 at the 9:59 mark of the second half on another three by Zasly. SF State (1-6) did cut the lead to single digits on a three by Van Sickel at with a little over two minutes to go in the game, but that as close as the Gators could get as the Argonauts hung on for a 56-47 victory.
SF State shot just 30.9% from the field including 35% from three-point land. The Gators forced 16 turnovers by Notre Dame de Namur (2-5). The Argonauts shot 33% from the field 43% from three-point land.
Grand Canyon's Jalissa Butler was named the MVP of the CCAA/Pac West Challenge. The All-Tournament Team consisted of Grand Canyon's Samantha Murphy, Cal State Stanislaus' Katie Busi and Andreanna Marshall; Notre Dame de Namur's Laura Zasly and the Gators'
Dominique Hunter (San Francisco, California, Gateway).
Box Score
In the first game of the evening, the 21st ranked Grand Canyon Antelopes defeated Cal State Stanislaus 70-62 behind Butler's 20 point, 16 rebounds. Katie Busi paced the Warriors with 19 points.
The Gators will return to the court on Wednesday, December 29 at 3pm, when they travel to Pomona for a conference game with Cal Poly Pomona.
