SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's basketball returns to the road this week, starting a four-game road trip that begins down in Cal Poly Pomona where the Gators will take on the Broncos at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Kellogg Gym.  On Saturday the Gators will continue their trip down south taking on UC San Diego at 5:30 p.m. at the Rimac Arena in La Jolla, Calif.
 
This is the 11th and 12th game of the season for the Gators who enter this weekend's contest with an overall record of 0-10 and 0-6 in the CCAA.  As a team, the Gators are shooting 36.2 percent from the floor going 216-for-596.  They average 57.8 points per contest which ranks 12th in the CCAA.  In conference play those numbers have improved, against conference foes the Gators average 60.7 points per game which is 11th in the CCAA while shooting 38.3 percent which is eighth in the conference.
 
Junior transfer Jayzyl Tauala had a breakout weekend last weekend against the Pioneers and Otters.  She averaged 15 points per game, shooting 57.1 percent from the floor going 12-for-21 including 3-for-6 from behind the arc.  She also led the team with 10 rebounds and six assists.  Her strong play has forced head coach Dennis Cox to put her into the starting lineup.  In her first career start against the Otters on Saturday she scored a career-high 18 points grabbing seven rebounds in the losing effort.
 
Cal Poly Pomona enters Friday's contest with an overall record of 7-3 and are 5-1 in the CCAA.  They are currently receiving 29 votes in the latest USA Today Top-25 Coaches' Poll.  As a team, the Broncos are averaging 76.5 points per contest and are shooting 46.2 percent from the floor, both numbers are tops in the conference.  Their opponents are averaging 69.4 points per game and are shooting 40.8 percent from the floor.  They have won two-straight after a road loss to UCSD snapped a five-game winning streak.  Three players are averaging double-figures, led by senior forward Jada Blackwell who boasts a conference-leading 20.0 points per game.  Her teammate, senior guard Ariel Marsh is third in the CCAA averaging 17.1 points per game.
 
All-time the Gators are 9-37 against the Broncos.  The series dates back to the 1977-78 season.  That year the Gators lost to the Broncos 72-59.  The last time these two teams faced each other the Gators defeated then No. 14 ranked Cal Poly Pomona 78-63 on Feb. 15, 2014 at home.  Former forward Katie Batlin finished with a near triple-double scoring 16 points while grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out eight assists in the thrilling upset win.
 
UC San Diego enters this weekend's contest with a 6-5 record and are 4-2 in the conference.  They currently sit fifth in the conference standings.  At home the Tritons are 4-1 and are riding a three-game winning-streak that includes a win over Cal Poly Pomona on Dec. 21.  Last weekend UCSD defeated Cal State Stanislaus 81-68 before wrapping up the weekend defeating Chico State 86-57.  As a team, the Tritons are averaging 72.1 points per game and are shooting 41.7 percent.  Both totals are third best in the CCAA.  The Tritons are led by a familiar face, former Gator Farrah Shokoor.  The forward is averaging 15.4 points per game for the Tritons which is fifth in the CCAA.
 
The series against the Tritons dates back to the 1987-88 season.  All-time the Tritons own a 21-4 advantage in the series.  The first time these two teams met in the Nov. 1987 the Gators defeated UC SD 67-63.  The last time these two teams squared off UCSD defeated the Gators 83-63 on Feb. 21, 2014. 
 
Both games will feature live stats and live video which can be accessed on the women's basketball schedule page or the upcoming events section on the front of SFStateGators.com.  For in game updates and up to the minute updates on all of SF State's 12 athletic teams be sure to follow the Gators on twitter @SFStateGators. 

Game Notes (PDF)

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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.