SAN FRANCISCO –The visiting Chico State Wildcats trailed the Gators until 5:26 left in the game, when McKenzie Dalthrop's lay-up gave them their first lead of the game. It was a lead they would not relinquish as they held on for a 59-54 CCAA road victory.  Michaela Booker paced the Gators with 15 points on 7-of-14 shooting.
 
“We let another game slip away from us,” said SF State Head Coach Dr. Joaquin Wallace.  “We are getting better both offensively and defensively; however, we have to look at the positives and apply them for our next game on Saturday.”
 
SF State jumped out to a 19-11 in the first ten minutes on the game.  The Wildcats tied the game at 23-23 with 7:01 to go in the half on a tip-in by Crystal Sewell. 
 
The Gators outscored their visitors 7-3 in the final seven minutes of the half to take a 30-26 lead into the locker room.
 
SF State continued holding onto its lead as the Wildcats cut the Gators' lead down to one, five times in the first 13 minutes of the second half but could not get over the hump until the 5:26 mark when Dalthrop scored off an assist from Natasha Smith to give Chico State a 51-50 lead.
 
Chico State (3-1, 2-0 CCAA) outscored the Gators 5-0 in the next minute to increase its lead to 55-50.
 
Lauren Varney connected on both of her free throws on the Gators' next possession to cut the Wildcat lead to 55-52 with 3:51 to go.
 
Michaela Booker then recorded a steal on the Wildcats' next possession and Varney's lay-up off an assist from Farrah Shokoore made it 55-54 Chico State with just 3:10 left in the game.
 
Chico State's Natasha Smith then hit a three to give the visitors a 58-54 lead with 2:12 left. 
 
SF State (0-6, 0-2 CCAA) had several chances in the final minutes to cut into the Wildcat lead, but Chico State's defense held firm for a 59-54 victory for the visitors.
 
Synchro Bull led the way for Chico State with 15 points while Smith chipped in 10 points.
 
Besides Booker's 15 points, Nicole Hicks notched 12 points and Lauren Varney added 10 points. 
 
SF State will continue its four-game home stand this Saturday at 5:30pm, when the Gators host Cal State Stanislaus at the Swamp.  The Warriors lost 81-56 at Cal Poly Pomona this evening. 

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