SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's basketball team returns home to the friendly confines of The Swamp on Thursday when they host UC San Diego before wrapping up the week taking on Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday, both games are slated for a 5:30 p.m. tip time.
 
SF State enters this week with an overall record of 4-7 and are 2-3 in the CCAA, which has them sitting tied for sixth in the conference standings.  Last week, the Gators went 1-1 with a loss at Cal State East Bay, before recording the program's first road win in almost two years, when the Gators took down Cal State Monterey Bay 56-52.
 
As a team, the Gators are averaging 53.1 points per game, which is 13^th in the CCAA, they are shooting 33.0 percent from the floor which also ranks 13^th in the conference.  Defensively, the Gators continue to play solid defense, holding their opponents to 59.3 points per game which is second best in the CCAA.
 
Junior forward Laura Lawson leads the Gators, averaging 11.5 points per contest.  Lawson is currently 45^th in the nation averaging 9.8 rebounds per contest, which is second best in the CCAA. 
 
Senior guard Tatsiana Dashkevich is second on the team with 10.3 points per contest.  Last week, Dashkevich was absolutely on fire for SF State.  She averaged 16.5 points per contest against the Pioneers and Otters.  Against the Otters she scored the first 10 points of the game for SF State, she finished the contest with a team-high 18 points, including the game winner with 38 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
 
Freshman center Kiara Ginwright had a monster performance against the Otters as well.  She finished the game with eight blocks, seven rebounds and six points.  For the year, Ginwright now has 42 blocks on the year, she is leading the nation in blocks per game, averaging 3.8 blocks per game. 
 
UC San Diego enters Thursday's game with a 10-2 mark, including a 5-1 record in the CCAA.  The Tritons are currently in second in the conference.  As a team, they are averaging 77.3 points per game and shooting 45.1 percent from the field.  Their opponents are averaging 64.9 points per contest and shooting 39.9 percent from the floor. Last week, UCSD went 2-0 with home wins over Humboldt State and Cal Poly Pomona.
 
Leading the team in scoring is senior guard Jamie Katuna who averages 18.4 points per contest.  Right behind her is senior Farrah Shokoor who is averaging 14.5 points per game, while averaging 12.9 rebounds per contest.  
 
The series against the Tritons dates back to the 1987-88 season.  All-time the Tritons own a 23-4 advantage in the series.  The first time these two teams met in the Nov. 1987 the Gators defeated UCSD 67-63.  The last time these two teams squared off was on Feb. 13, 2015 when the Tritons defeated the Gators 76-65 at The Swamp.
 
Cal State San Bernardino enters this week with a 6-4 overall record, and are 3-3 in the CCAA.  On the road in 2015-16 they are 1-2.  As a team, the Coyotes are averaging 66.3 points per contest and shooting 39.2 percent from the floor.   Their opponents are averaging 61.3 points per contest and shooting 37.6 percent from the field.
 
Leading the team in scoring is senior guard Chelsea Barnes, who is averaging 14.4 points per contest.  Saturday's contest against Cal State San Bernardino will be the 40^th time the two teams have faced each other.  The Coyotes currently hold a 23-17 edge in the series.  The last time these two teams faced each other the Coyotes came away with the 80-53 win at home on Jan. 29, 2015.
 
Both games will feature live stats and live video 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.