SAN FRANCISCO – Leading by eight points with 41 seconds remaining, the SF State women's basketball team survived a late surge in their exhibition opener, holding off Menlo College 69-65, Thursday evening at The Swamp at the Don Nasser Family Plaza.
In the final minute senior
Naila Washington scored the final two of her nine points to give the Gators an eight point lead, their largest of the evening. But Menlo College (0-1) would not go down quietly, cutting the Gators lead to four on a last second three point bucket.
SF State shot the ball well from distance, connecting on 7-of-21 from beyond the three point line. Most of that coming from junior guard
Felicia Villarruel who was 4-for-9 from deep to lead the Gators with 16 points. Also scoring in double figures was
Lauryn Catching who scored 11 and
Laura Lawson who tallied 12.
Defensively, the Gators did an exceptional job at the press, forcing 25 turnovers which yielded 12 points. However, the big difference was the Gators second half surge on the glass. In the first half Menlo College outrebounded the Gators 21-17. After the break SF State outrebounded the Oaks 31-15. The Gators 16 second half offensive boards allowed the Gators to tally 11 second chance points.
The very first play of the game got the Gators fans roaring. Washington found the ball in the paint and scored on a layup from the right side and was fouled, she hit the free throw to put the Gators up three. SF State closed out the opening quarter with a 13-10 lead after Menlo's Breanna Turner scored on a tip-in.
In the second quarter Menlo rallied to take an 18-17 lead following a three point basket by Kelsey McKeon. That's when Villarruel got hot, as she connected on three, three point baskets down the stretch. The Gators went into the locker room at halftime up seven points, 32-25.
Out of the break the combo of Lawson and Washington proved to the difference makers, as they scored 18 points between them. Also having a solid evening for the Gators on Thursday was guard
Brittaney Allison who scored nine points with four rebounds and three assists.
The Oaks were led by Vanessa D'Amico's game-high 17 points. Fia Hoskinson finished with 12 and McKeon had 11.
The Gators return to action on Saturday when they travel to Santa Clara to take on the Broncos at the Leavey Center at 2:00 p.m. in their second exhibition of the season.
Complete Box Score (
PDF)
Complete Box Score (
HTML)
Post Game Video--
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.
