Box Score
ATHERTON, Calif.— Behind the trio of
Jennifer Le,
Katie Batlin and
Lauren Varney were able to hold off the 24
th ranked Menlo College Oaks (2-1) 66-58 this evening in a non-conference game at the Haynes-Prim Pavilion in Atherton, Calif. Le scored a career high 15 points while Batlin had 15 points and Varney chipped in 12 points for the Gators (2-0).
"Great effort this evening against a quality Menlo College team," said SF State head coach Dr. Joaquin Wallace. "We shared the ball tonight which is critical to our success."
Menlo jumped out to a 9-6 lead early in the game, which was the last time that the Oaks held the lead.
The Gators went on a 7-0 run in the next three minutes to take a 15-12 lead on a Batlin jumper.
SF State increased its lead to double figures, 26-15 on a
Jennifer Le jumper with a little over eight minutes to go in the first stanza.
The hosts cut the Gator lead to 31-22 on a Laurel Donnenwirth jumper with 5:36 to go in the half, but SF State outscored its hosts 13-9 to take a 44-31 lead into the locker room.
The Gators' defense stepped it up early in the second half as they outscored the Oaks 12-6 in the first seven minutes of the new half to take a 56-37 lead, their largest of the game.
Menlo, who is ranked #24 in the NAIA, would not go away as the Oaks cut the Gator lead to 58-50 with 7:18 to go on a Jenna Arnett jumper.
SF State increased its lead in the next four minutes capped by a
Michelle Sutton jumper to take a 62-50 lead.
Still the Oaks would not quit as they once again cut the Gator lead to single digits, 64-58 on a three by Vanessa D'Amico with just 23 ticks on the clock.
Batlin secured the win for the Gators as she was fouled and connected on both free throws to give the visitors the 66-58 lead.
"Our second half defense was outstanding as we made a conscious effort to stop their All-American point guard (Jolise Limcaco) to just two points for the night," added Wallace.
Menlo was led by Donnenwirth's 27 points and 17 rebounds with D'Amico finishing with 13 points for the Oaks.
Batlin recorded her second consecutive double-double for the Gators this evening with 15 points and 11 rebounds (all defensive rebounds). This past Tuesday evening, Batlin had 18 points and 10 steals. The senior transfer also had four of the Gators' seven assists. Le recorded four of SF State's nine steals.
SF State held the Oaks to just 30% shooting from the field while forcing 20 turnovers. The Gators also out-rebounded their hosts 53-50.
The Gators will return home this Tuesday, November 19 at 5pm, when face Holy Names University in a non-conference game at The Swamp. SF State will also have its final exhibition game of the season the next night, Wednesday, November 20 at 7pm, when the Gators take on the Santa Clara University Broncos.
Box Score
