SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's basketball team looked primed to earn their first win of the 2014-15 campaign on Saturday night, leading Cal State Monterey Bay late in the second half.  Unfortunately a late run by the Otters gave the visitors an 84-80 win.

The Gators (0-10/0-6 CCAA) entered the contest with the league's lowest three point field goal percentage but were absolutely on fire from behind the arc tonight.  SF State connected on 12-of-16 from three point land.  Defensively, the Gators played stout defense all night, forcing 18 Otter turnovers that led to 28 points for SF State.
SF State had three players in double figures led by Savannah Camp's team-high 21.  Camp was 7-for-14 on the night and 3-for-6 from three.  Joining Camp in double figures was CeCe Nguyen and Jayzyl Tauala.

Making just her third start for the Gators, Nguyen made a big impact early.  She finished with a career-best 16 points on the night, eight coming early in the first half.  She also added five assists, also a career-best. 

Tauala made her first career-start and posted her second-consecutive career-night.  She finished this evening with 18, going 7-for-14 from the field and 3-for-5 from three point range, she also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

The Otters (3-8/1-5 CCAA) led for most of the game and all but 53 seconds of the first half.  With 6:30 left in the opening period they were out front 11, 30-19. 
From there the Gators went on a big run, finishing the half tied 36-36 after Leticia Galarza ducked under a defender for a layup.  The Gators went on a 17-6 run to close out the half.  Aided in that was their deadly shooting from three point range.  The Gators hit three, three-point baskets down the stretch to head into the locker room tied.

Out of the intermission Tauala put the Gators out front for the first time since the opening minute of the first half with a jumper in the paint.  The Gators pushed their lead to seven on a three point basket by Nguyen, 66-59 with 6:23 in the game.

That would be it for the Gators on the evening, over the final three minutes the Otters used free throws and layups to build a nine point lead with 32 seconds remaining.  A series of turnovers and free throws by the Gators cut the lead to four with two seconds left but ultimately, the Otters would hold on to win, 84-80.

The Gators will return to action on Friday, January 9 when SF State travels to Cal Poly Pomona to take on the defending conference champion.  Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.

Complete Box Score (HTML)

Post Game Video:
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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.