SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's basketball team returns to the road this weekend, traveling to Southern California for their only showdown against Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State L.A.  The Gators will battle the Toros on Friday at 5:30 p.m. before taking on the Golden Eagles on Saturday at the same time.
 
On Saturday the Gators ended a five game skid when they defeated Cal State Monterey Bay 57-49 at The Swamp on Saturday night.  The Gators went on a 22-4 over the final nine minutes of the fourth quarter to come back for the win over the Otters.
 
The Gators enter this week with an overall record of 5-12 which includes a 3-8 mark in the CCAA.  But under second year head coach Dennis Cox, that has the Gators squarely in the hunt for a post season bid.  The win over the Otters propelled the Gators in a four-way tie for eighth place with Chico State, CSUMB and Sonoma State.  The top-eight teams will advance to the CCAA Basketball Tournament at the end of the regular season.
 
As a team, the Gators are averaging 49.8 points per game which is 13^th in the conference, while shooting 31.7 percent from the floor, which also ranks at the bottom of the CCAA.  Defensively, the Gators are exceptional, holding their opponents to 37.9 points per contest which is fifth in the CCAA. 
 
Tatsiana Dashkevich is tops on the team in scoring, averaging 10.4 points per game.  Last week she finished with 17 points in the win over the Otters, scoring eight of those 17 in the thrilling fourth quarter.  Her 10.4 points per contest is 23^rd in the CCAA.
 
Laura Lawson had a big weekend for the Gators, she finished with 10 points and nine rebounds in the win over CSUMB.  For the year she is second on the team with 9.3 points per game, and tops on the team with a 44.3 shooting percentage.  The Gators leading rebounder at 9.0 rebounds per contest is ranked 62^nd in the country in rebounds per game, and second overall in the CCAA.  Lawson is also 52^nd in the nation in offensive rebounds per contest, averaging 4.0 a game.
 
Kiara Ginwright continues to lead the nation in blocks per game.  Her 4.06 blocks per contest is tops in the nation, she is now tied for the lead in total blocks with 69.  Against the Otters on Saturday she finished with five blocks, giving her 69 for the year.  She is eight blocks shy of tying the SF State single season record for blocks.
 
Cal State Dominguez Hills currently sits at the top of the conference.  The Toros began the season 2-4 and since then have gone 11-2 including 10-straight wins.  They are currently 13-6 and a perfect 11-0 in the CCAA. 
 
As a team, the Toros are averaging 72.21 points per game which ranks second in the CCAA, they are shooting 40.6 which is third in the conference.  Defensively, they are allowing 67.2 points per game which ranks 11^th while holding their opponents to a 37.2 shooting percentage which is third best in the CCAA.
 
Three players are averaging better than 10 points per contest.  Leading the team in scoring is senior guard Breanne Garcia, who is averaging 18.4 points per contest.  Against Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday, she scored 24 points in the win. 
Cal State L.A. enters this week currently last in the CCAA with an overall record of 4-13 and 2-9 in the CCAA.  As a team, they are averaging 63.9 points per contest which ranks seventh in the conference, but are giving up 71.2 points per game which is 13^th.  They are shooting a very respectable 40.5 which is fourth best in the CCAA, however, their opponents are shooting 40.8 percent from the field which is 13^th in the CCAA.
 
Three players are averaging 10 or more points per game.  Leading the team in scoring is junior guard Chiara DiMarco.  DiMarco is averaging 12.8 points per contest and is shooting 42.9 percent from the field.  Franeka Hall who is averaging 11.1 points per game is tops on the team with 23 3-point baskets made. 
 
Live stats and video will be provided for both games which 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.