SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's basketball team trailed by as much as 18 with 3:44 in the first half, but after the intermission, stingy defense, an unrelenting press and hot shooting brought the Gators within six, unfortunately the comeback bid fell short and Cal State San Bernardino took the contest 64-53 Saturday night at the SF State Gymnasium at the Don Nasser Family Plaza.
The Gators (0-6/0-2 CCAA) dug themselves in a hole early. SF State started the game shooting 3-for-18 and did not get on the scoreboard until
Michelle Sutton hit a jumper in the paint with 14:26 on the clock. At that point the Gators trailed the Coyotes (6-0/2-0 CCAA) 11-2.
CSUSB extended their run despite poor shooting on their part as well. Points in the paint and second chance points helped the Coyotes push a nine point lead with 6:31 in the first to an 18 point lead with 3:44 in the first following a layup by Chelsea Barnes.
The Gators finished the first half shooting 31.3 percent from the floor going 10-for-32. A big reason for that was the play but Sutton in the opening half. The Gators senior forward led all scorers with 14 points, all of that coming in the opening half. She finished the night going 6-for-18 with four rebounds and two assists.
Out of the break with the Gators in foul trouble head coach
Dennis Cox made adjustments to his lineup and put on the pressure. The Gators press and relentless defense created 10 turnovers and scored 11 points off those turnovers.
After starting the half down 14, the Gators eventually cut the lead to sis with 10:03 in the half following a layup by
Leticia Galarza. Galarza was a force in the second half scoring all 12 of her points. She finished the night going 6-for-12 from the floor with four rebounds and two assists.
Aside from the foul trouble the Gators other Achilles heel was their three point shooting. SF State was just 3-for-18 from behind the arc tonight. The Coyotes also had a big advantage in the rebound category, recording 45 to the Gators 26. CSUSB's
Brianna Harden was a big reason for that discrepancy in the rebounding totals, she finished with a game-high 14 boards to go along with her 10 points.
All told, four Coyotes finished the night in double figures with Alexcia Mack and Briana Baker finishing with 13 each.
The Gators unloaded the bench on the evening with 11 players seeing action.
Jayzyl Tauala and
Liz Wyrsch both had solid nights off the bench. Tauala finished with six points in a season-high 24 minutes while Wyrsch scored two points while grabbing two rebounds in a career-high 16 minutes played.
Jasmine Flanagan added eight points on the night, while
Brittaney Allison and
Savannah Camp chipped in six and five respectively.
The Gators return to action next Friday, December 12 when SF State hosts Bay Area rival Sonoma State at 6:00 p.m. Friday's contest will be a purple out and all fans are encouraged to wear purple to the game.
Complete Box Score (HTML):Post-Game Video--
Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 11 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
