TURLOCK – It was a tale of two halves for the SF State women's basketball team. The Gators dominated the opening period but could not hold on to a 15 point halftime lead as host Cal State Stanislaus took the game 70-68.
Seniors
Leticia Galarza and
Michelle Sutton both scored in double figures for the Gators. Galarza scored a career-high 23 points off the bench for SF State, 16 coming in the first half. She finished the night going 8-for-14 from the floor, including 3-for-6 from behind the arc. Sutton finished with 14, going 6-for-13 from the floor.
The Gators (0-14/0-10 CCAA) played their best half of basketball in the opening period. SF State was rebounding the ball and breaking the Warriors (5-9/3-7 CCAA) press with ease. The Gators bench scored 23 in the first half and was a big reason for SF State's 15 point halftime lead over the Warriors.
On the defensive side the of the ball the Gators were relentless. SF State forced 11 Warrior turnovers which led to 11 points for the Gators. The Warriors could muster just 34 shots, making only 11 as they shot just 32.4 percent from the field in the first half. SF State allowed only four second chance points and just 16 points in the paint.
Out of the intermission the Warriors showed that the Gators would have to play a complete game to earn their first win of the season. CSUS scored four points right out of the gate before SF State could respond.
Cal State Stanislaus would get hot and go on another big run, the Warriors went on a 19-3 run midway through the second period. Sophomore guard Ana Burch led CSUS with a team-high 19 points, all of it coming in the second half.
To the Gators credit, when the Warriors took the lead late in the game SF State did not go away quietly. With the Warriors leading by eight following a Burch free throw the Gators attempted to force overtime. Galarza and Sutton both hit a pair of long threes and with three seconds remaining the red-hot Galarza took a jumper from the corner that rimed out to end the Gators evening.
Jasmine Flanagan finished the night scoring six points, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out seven assists. Freshman
Savannah Camp finished the night with eight points and five rebounds, while
Jayzyl Tauala scored nine points off the bench.
With the win, the Warriors snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Gators that dated back to the 2010-11 season.
SF State returns home next week playing a pair of CCAA games. On Friday, SF State will host Cal State Dominguez Hills, tip off for Friday's game is at 5:30 p.m.
Complete Box Score (HTML)--
Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 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.
