SEASIDE, Calif. – After starting the game trailing 10-0, the SF State women's basketball team rode a huge second half surge in the 56-52 comeback win over Cal State Monterey Bay at the Otter Sports Complex on Saturday night.
 
Senior forward Tatsiana Dashkevich helped keep the Gators afloat while they found their scoring touch.  She scored the first 10 points for the Gators in a thrilling first quarter.  Dashkevich, finished the game with a team-leading 18 points, her final bucket coming with 38 seconds left in the game that gave the Gators a 54-52 advantage.
 
SF State (4-7/2-3 CCAA) needed to overcome a slow shooting performance in the opening half, where they connected on just 5-of-25 attempts, including a 1-for-9 mark from 3-point range.  In the second half the Gators were on fire, shooting 69.6 percent from the field, going 16-for-23 from the floor.
 
Helping key the Gators comeback was the impressive play in the paint, where SF State outscored the Otters 36-12.  Also finishing in double figures for SF State were forwards Laura Lawson and Naila Washington, who both added 10 points, all of them coming after the intermission.
 
Freshman center Kiara Ginwright had an impressive performance for the Gators.  The talented shot blocker finished the night with a career-high eight blocks, to go along with her seven rebounds and six points.
 
Fellow freshman, Lauryn Catching finished the night with nine points and a game-high five steals.  The Gators defense tallied 14 steals on the night.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay (6-6/2-3 CCAA) scored the first 10 points of the game, six coming on back-to-back 3-point baskets to begin the game.  Following a quick timeout by the Gators, the Otters pushed their lead to 10 points before Dashkevich hit a free throw to end the run.
 
At the end of the opening quarter the Otters held a 15-10 lead, at halftime they were out front 24-15 after shooting 32.1 percent from the field, including a 4-for-5 stretch from beyond the arc.
 
The Gators return to action on Thursday, January 7 when they host UC San Diego at 5:30 p.m. at the Swamp.  

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Complete Box Score (PDF)

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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.