SAN FRANCISCO – With 6.8 seconds left in the game junior Tatsiana Dashkevich stepped up to the free throw line with the Gators down one, with three chances to tie or give the Gators the lead.  That's exactly what she did, draining all-three attempts, as the SF State women's basketball team earned the 49-47 win over visiting Chico State on Friday's night's second annual Purple Out.

At the half, the Gators (3-3/1-0 CCAA) trailed by one, 21-20 as both teams struggled to find the shooter's touch.  SF State shot just 25 percent from the floor in the opening half, going 5-for-20, including a 2-for-8 mark from 3-point range.  After the half, the Gators offense came to life, hitting 40.7 percent of their shots, going 11-for-27.

The Wildcats (4-1/0-1 CCAA) led 47-42 with 2:10 to play in the game.  The Gators started their furious comeback when Tiana Henry hit a three point basket from the corner, cutting the lead to four. 

Defensively, the Gators didn't allow the Wildcats to score another basket.  With 1:00 minute on the clock freshman center Kiara Ginwright swatted a Wildcat attempt under the basket, it was her ninth blocked shot of the evening.  She finished the night with nine blocks and eight rebounds in a stellar defensive effort.

With forty seconds to play, Naila Washington hit a layup to cut the Wildcats lead to one, 47-46.  Washington led the Gators with 10 points on the evening, she was the only SF State player in double figures, but it wouldn't matter as nine players scored at least two points.  The Gators bench accounted for 22 of their 49 points.

With less than 20 seconds and the Gators out of timeouts, SF State one again made a big stop, Washington grabbed a rebound with 18 seconds left and took the ball down the floor.  The Gators attempted to run a play, but with the capacity crowd roaring, SF State was unable to get a play called.  Cue Dashkevich, with eight seconds left she dribbled to her right and launched a deep three with 6.8 on the clock, the shot rimmed out but, but she went to the line with the chance to put the Gators ahead and she did just that.

The Wildcats still had one more chance, out of a timeout they inbounded the ball in front of their bench.  On the far court, Chico State's Brooke Bowen attempted a three point basket that would have given the Wildcats the lead, out of nowhere, Washington recorded the Gators 11^th and final block as the time expired sealing the win.
  
Laura Lawson was second on the team with eight points for the Gators, she scored all eight in the late third and early fourth quarter and was a big push for SF State offensively in the second half.  Henry finished with seven, as did Dashkevich and Trayona Thomas.

SF State returns to action tomorrow night when they take on Stanislaus State.  Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. 

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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.