SAN FRANCISCO – A three point basket by Tatsiana Dashkevich with five minutes remaining tied the game up for the SF State women's basketball team.  A few defensive stops later the Gators had their first lead since early in the first quarter and held on to win 57-49 Saturday evening at The Swamp.
 
Offensively, SF State (5-12/3-8 CCAA) had its best night of the season.  The Gator shot 48.8 percent from the floor, going 21-for-43.  From 3-point range they were particularly effective, going 3-for-6.  Defensively, the Gators responded, holding the Otters to 34.6 percent shooting, 26.1 in the second half.  The normally deadly Otters were just 4-for-19 from beyond the arc, and 0-for-10 after the intermission.
 
The Gators had four players in double figures on Saturday evening, leading the offensive explosion was senior forward Tatsiana Dashkevich, who finished the night with a game-high 17 points.  Dashkevich was on fire, going 5-for-6 from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from 3-point range and 4-for-4 from the free throw line.
 
The Gators trio of forwards also had a spectacular night.  The Gators outscored the Otters 25-12 in the paint.  The trio of Laura Lawson, Naila Washington and Kiara Ginwright all scored 10 points each.  Lawson was a force on the glass, grabbing nine rebounds, four on offense.  Washington finished the night with five rebounds, a block and two steals.  Meanwhile, Ginwright had another huge night defensively, tallying five blocks.
 
Freshman guard Lauryn Catching proved to be the catalyst in the second half.  She finished the night with eight points on 3-for-7 shooting, but six of those points came in the late third quarter when SF State needed a boost offensively.
 
Cal State Monterey Bay (7-11/3-8 CCAA) was led by McKenna Hill's team-high 15 points.  She was the only Otter in double figures. 
 
The first quarter started out well for the Gators. SF State struck first and after three strong defensive stands they found themselves out front 4-2.  The Otters responded going on an 11-2 run to go up 11-4 forcing SF State to use a timeout. 
 
After the initial surge by the Otters, the Gators calmed down and went into the second quarter trailing by five, 16-9.  The second quarter proved to be a scoring bonanza.  Both sides went on runs and scored 16 points each.  The Otters went into the break with a seven point lead, up 32-25.
 
Offensively, the Gators were at the top of their game, shooting 52.9 percent from the field, going 9-for-17.  The key offensively, was SF State's ability to get the ball into the post and score in the paint.  The Gators finished the first half with 10 points in the paint.
 
Defensively, Ginwright owned the paint and kept the Otters out of the key.  The Gators freshman center recorded five blocks in the opening half.  Unfortunately, the Otters were feeling it from beyond the arc, hitting 4-of-9 attempts in the opening half.  Long misses led to seven second chance points for CSUMB in the first half.
 
In the third quarter the Gators offense sputtered through the first eight minutes.  After shooting so efficiently in the first half, they began the third quarter hitting just 1-of-8 from the field.  The Otters fared little better, going 4-for-11 and 0-for-4 from 3-point range, they were 3-for-4 from the free throw line and entered the fourth quarter out front 43-33.
 
The roles reversed in the fourth quarter.  Dashkevich caught fire, hitting three buckets in the period, including a 3-point basket to tie the game at 47 with 4:52 in the game.  Defensively, the Gators were stout, liming the Otters to just two field goals in eight attempts in the early going.  Clutch free throw shooting allowed the Gators to hold the lead, they went a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter.
 
The Gators return to action next Friday when they travel down south to take on Cal State Dominguez Hills at 5:30 p.m. at the Toro Dome.

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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.