ELLENSBURG, Wash. – A cold shooting night and a sluggish second and third quarter proved to be the difference as the SF State women's basketball team fell to host Central Washington 59-39 in its 2015-16 debut on Friday. 

The Gators (0-1) had just one player in double figures as they shot just 15 percent from the floor, going 10-for-63 on the night.  Leading the team in scoring was senior forward Naila Washington who scored 15 points for the Gators, going 4-for-9 from the floor.  She also grabbed 11 boards for her first double-double of the year.

Laura Lawson was one point shy of a double-double of her own, she scored nine points on the night and led the Gators with 12 rebounds.  Brittaney Allison scored two points and dished out three assists on the evening.

Central Washington (1-0) connected on 34 percent of their shots, going 20-for-58 from the field and was 3-for-10 from three point range.  The Wildcats did not have a single player in double-figures on the day, but did have 12 players score at least two points. 

Lawson got the Gators on the board first in the opening quarter, hitting both attempts from the charity stripe.  Continue their strong shooting from the free throw line like they did during their exhibition games, SF State went 14-for-18 from the charity stripe, including a perfect 4-for-4 in the second half.

After the free throws by Lawson, the Wildcats went on an 11-2 run to go out front 11-4.  The Gators closed out the opening period on a 7-2 run, to trail 13-11 heading into the second quarter.

In the second quarter the Gators cold streak started, but not before Tiana Henry connected on a three point bucket from the corner to put SF State out front 14-13. The Gators would go on to score just six more points the quarter as Central Washington went into half leading 31-20.

In the second half the Gators were 6-for-30 from the field, and 3-for-12 from three point range.  Central Washington countered shooting just 7-for-28 from the floor as the Gators defense stiffened up.  But it the deficit was too much as Central Washington outscored the Gators 28-19 in the second half.

SF State returns to action tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. when they take on Concordia (Ore.) at Nicholson Pavilion in Ellensburg.    

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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.