SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's basketball team survived a late charge by visiting Notre Dame de Namur and was able to hold to win Tuesday's home opener 67-63.  The Gators had three players in double figures led by Naila Washington's game-high 17 points.

SF State (1-2) shot a season-best 41.3 percent on the night, going 23-for-63 from the floor, but that doesn't tell the whole story.  The Gators interior game was strong, as the Gators scored 22 points in the key.  Remove the Gators 6-for-23 from 3-point range and SF State connected on 20-of-40.

For the third-straight game Washington led the Gators in scoring and finished with a game-high 17 points, going 8-for-12 from the floor.  She was joined by Laura Lawson, who recorded her first career double-double, recording 16 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.  Trayona Thomas was on fire in the first half, she finished the night with 15 points, and hit a couple of big 3-point baskets.

Notre Dame de Namur (0-3) shot 39.7 percent from the field, going 23-for-58.  A bulk of the Argonauts offense came from inside 15 feet.  Aaliyah Monroe led NDNU with 13 points, shooting 6-for-11 for the night.

In the opening half the Gators shooting woes from early in the season appeared to be a thing of the past.  The Gators shot 46.7 percent from the field, going 7-for-15.  Thomas alone, went 4-for-5 from the floor including two big three point buckets, the last coming at the buzzer to give the Gators a 18-16 lead. 

The Argonauts were able to keep it close do to their 14-4 rebound advantage in the opening period, including seven on offense that led to six second chance points.  For the evening, NDNU outrebounded the Gators 41-32 that contributed to 17 second chance points.

In the second quarter the Gators defense turned it on, forcing three-straight turnovers midway through the period that led to easy SF State fast break points.  A layup by Washington on a fast break gave the Gators a 28-24 lead at the 5:26 mark. 

Defensively, SF State forced 13 Argonaut turnovers in the first half that led to 13 points.  More importantly, in the second quarter the Gators defense limited the easy buckets in the paint.  NDNU scored 12 of its 16 points in the paint, in the second the Gators held them to just four points inside the key and went into the locker room leading 36-30.

In the third period the Gators defense continued to apply pressure on the ball, forcing several turnovers that led to 10 points off turnovers.  The Gators led by as much as 13 with less than a minute in the third quarter when forward Tatsiana Dashkevich hit a pair of free throws.  The junior finished with six points and a game-high six assists in her collegiate debut.

At the 4:07 mark in the 4^th, the #Gators double-digit lead was cut to one, 59-58 on a 15 foot bank shot at the elbow by the Argonauts.  A 3-point bucket by Lauryn Catching put the Gators back out front by four, 64-60 with less than three minutes in the game.  A pair of free throws by Brittaney Allison put the Gators out front by seven.

SF State returns to action on Saturday when they host Dominican at 5:30 p.m. at the Swamp.   

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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.