SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's basketball team begins the New Year taking on a pair of Bay Area Rivals.  On New Year's Day, the Gators will take on Cal State East Bay at 2:00 p.m. before wrapping up the weekend battling Cal State Monterey Bay in Seaside, Calif at 5:00 p.m.
 
SF State finished 2015 with a 3-6 overall record, including a 1-2 mark in the CCAA.  Last week, the Gators fell to crosstown rival USF 73-45 at the War Memorial Gym. 
 
As a team, the Gators are struggling on offense.  SF State is 13^th in the conference averaging 53.6 points per game, they are also 13^th in the CCAA shooting 31.6 percent from the field.  From 3-point range, the Gators have shot 25.1 percent, going 50-for-199 to start the year.
 
Defensively, the Gators have been exceptional.  They are holding their opponents to 60.1 points per game which is 3^rd in the CCAA.  Their opponent's field goal percentage of 38.8 is seventh in the CCAA and 48^th in the nation.  The Gators are sixth in the nation in blocked shots per game, averaging 5.6, and they are 51^st in turnovers created, forcing 19.78 turnovers per contest.
 
Two Gators are averaging better than 10 points per game.  Leading the team is junior forward Laura Lawson who averages 11.6 points per contest.  She is currently 27^th in the nation averaging 10.6 rebounds per game.  Her four double-doubles on the year is 46^th in the country.
 
Naila Washington is second on the team, averaging 10.8 points per game.  Over her last four games, she is averaging eight points per game and four rebounds per game.  She is tops on the team, shooting 53 percent from the field, connecting on 36-of-68 attempts, she is also 7-for-9 from 3-point range.
 
Freshman center Kiara Ginwright was named the SF State Gator of the Week following her performance against the Dons.  Ginwright finished the evening with just four points, but was a force on the defensive side of the ball.  She finished the night with seven rebounds, five blocks and five steals.  For the year, Ginwright has 32 blocks which is tops in the CCAA and fourth in the nation in total blocks.
 
The Gators talented shot blocker averages 3.6 blocks per game which is second in the nation.  At her current pace, she is slated to finish the year with 78 blocks which would set the SF State single season record.
 
Cal State East Bay will play one more game before the Gators and Pioneers tangle on New Years' Day, they host Holy Names on Dec. 30^th.  They are currently 9-2 on the year and a perfect 7-0 at Pioneer Gymnasium.  As a team, CSUEB is averaging 69.7 points per game and shooting 44.2 percent from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 55.7 points per game and shooting 35.6 percent from the floor.
 
Leading the team in scoring is senior forward Tori Breshers.  The native of Gardena, Calif., is averaging 17.5 points per game.  In CCAA action, she's even better, averaging 19.5 points per contest.  The Pioneers also have scoring threats in Laci Effenberger and Shannon Bland, who average 13.2 and 11.5 points per game respectively.
 
The New Year's Day match up between the Pioneers and the Gators will be the 48^th time these two teams have squared off.  SF State holds a 27-20 advantage in the series that dates back to the 1974-75 season when the Gators beat then Hayward State 55-39.  The last time these two teams faced each other was on Feb. 7 when the Gators fell to the host Pioneers 67-55.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay enters 2016 with a 5-5 record and are 1-2 in CCAA games.  Their home record currently stands at 1-2.  Last week, the Gators dropped a pair of games, falling to Cal Poly Pomona 65-63 before losing at home to Southern Oregon University 69-62.
 
As a team, the Otters are 63.6 points per game and are shooting 40.4 percent from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 53.5 points per game and are shooting 38.6 from the floor.  Leading the team in scoring is junior forward McKenna Hill.  Hill is averaging 12.8 points per game.  While shooting 44.5 percent from the field.
 
The January 2^nd game between the Otters and the Gators will mark the 22^nd time these two teams have faced each other.  The Gators are 10-11 all-time against the Otters in a series that dates back to 2005 when the Gators defeated the Otters 63-62 on the road.  The last time these two teams faced each other CSUMB defeated the Gators 67-45 at the Otter Sports Center 67-45.
 
Live stats and video will be featured for both games and can be accessed on the women's basketball schedule page.  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.