SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's basketball team officially begins its 2015-16 campaign on Friday at 3:00 p.m. when they take on Central Washington at Nicholson Pavilion in Ellensburg, Wash., they wrap up the weekend taking on Concordia (Ore.) on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

The Gators finished their pre-season exhibition schedule going 1-1, defeating Menlo 69-65 before falling to host Santa Clara 71-42.  In those games the Gators averaged 55.0 points per game and shot 27.8 percent from the floor.  From three point range the Gators connected on 27.8 percent, going 10-for-36 from beyond the arc.  At the free throw line the Gators have been impressive, hitting 71.5 percent from the charity stripe, going 25-for-35.

In the two exhibition games the Gators had two players average in double figures, led by juniors Lauryn Catching (11.0 ppg) and Laura Lawson (10.0 ppg).  Against the Broncos on Saturday, Catching got hot in the second half scoring six of her 11 points after the break.  Senior forward Naila Washington leads the team, averaging 10.0 rebounds per game.  She finished a rebound shy of a double-double against the Broncos.

Central Washington was picked to finish fourth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) in the annual pre-season coaches' poll.  The Wildcats return eight letter winners from last year's squad that went 7-11 in conference play and finished the 2014-15 season in sixth in the GNAC. 

The Wildcats top returner is sophomore Jasmine Edwards.  Edwards was the GNAC Freshman of the Year, she averaged 12.2 points per game and led the Wildcats with 121 assists.  Also returning for Central Washington senior forward/center Jasmine Parker, the all-time leader in block shots for the Wildcats.

On Saturday, the Gators will face new GNAC member Concordia (Ore.).  The Cavaliers are completing their transition to NCAA Division II after being members of the NAIA Cascade Collegiate Conference last year.  The Cavaliers were picked to finish 11^th in the GNAC this season.
 
The Cavaliers return four starters from last year's squad that went 12-16, including their top-two scorers from last year's squad in sophomore Sierra Dean (13.7 ppg) and  junior Lexi Campbell (11.0 ppg).  Concordia has three players local to the Bay Area, including junior Briannah Smith who grew up in San Francisco.  Smith played in 27 games last year and averaged 8.8 points per game.

Live stats will be available for both games, for in game updates be sure to follow the Gators on twitter @SFState_Gators. 

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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.