BURNABY, BC--- The visiting SF State Gators rallied back from a 17-point halftime deficit to take a two-point lead with 7:24 left in the game but they could not hold that lead as the Simon Fraser Clan defeated the Gators 82-72 in an important early season West Region non-conference game.

Katie Batlin paced the Gators (3-1) with 26 points, 9 rebounds and three steals. The senior transfer was 8-for-15 from the field and 10-of-11 from the charity stripe for the visitors. Leticia Galarza had a season high 10 points off the bench for SF State while Lauren Varney added 10 points.

Katie Lowen paced Simon Fraser (2-1) with 20 points on 8-for-16 shooting from the field including connecting on four treys. Erin Chambers chipped in 19 points for the Clan and Kia Van Laare added 12 points off the bench.

Chambers' lay-up four minutes into the game gave the Clan a 12-1 lead. They increased that lead to 23-5 on a trey by Chambers with 11:49 to go in the half.

Brianna Harden's free throws cut the deficit to 27-17 at the seven minute mark, but the Clan increased their lead back to 17 (41-24) with 24 ticks left in the half.

A three by Angela Van Sickel cut the Clan's lead to 41-27 heading into the locker room.

SF State continued that momentum outscoring its hosts 11-6 in the first four minutes to cut its deficit to 47-38.

The Gators continued to inch closer to Simon Fraser and eventually took the lead, 56-55, on two made throws by Jasmine Flanagan with a little under 8 minutes left in regulation.

A made throw by Chelsea Reist tied the game at 56-56 on the Clan's next possession, but the Gators retook the lead on their next possession on a jumper by Galarza.

A three by Ellen Kett gave the lead back to the hosts, but the Gators tied the game at 59-59 on a made throw by Galarza.

Simon Fraser then went on a 10-4 run capped by a three by Kia Van Laare to take a 63-59 lead a lead they would not relinquish.

The Clan increased its lead to 76-65 on a free throw by Chelsea Reit with just 79 seconds on the clock.

The Gators cut the lead to 80-72 on an old fashioned three-point play by Batlin, but that was a little too late as the Clan held on for the 82-72 victory.

Simon Fraser, who advanced to the NCAA West Regional semi-final game last season, will host the Gators tomorrow afternoon at 1pm in another non-conference game.

Box Score