SAN FRANCISCO – A slow start by the SF State women's basketball team on the offensive side of the ball put the Gators in a hole that took the team most of the game to overcome.  A big second half surge tied the game late, but ultimately visiting Cal State San Bernardino held on for the 53-47 win on Saturday night at The Swamp.

SF State (4-9/2-5 CCAA) had two players in double figures and was led by a gutsy effort from senior forward Naila Washington, who recorded her second double-double of the year.  Washington finished with game-highs scoring 16 points and grabbing 13 rebounds.

Newcomer Viktoriia Kotilevskaia provided a huge boost off the bench, scoring a career-best 11 points.  She finished the night going 4-for-8 from the field including 3-for-5 from long range.  Tatsiana Dashkevich had nine points and five rebounds.  Laura Lawson finished with five points and nine rebounds.  

Cal State San Bernardino (8-4/5-3 CCAA) had three players in double figures and was led by Sophie Bhasin's team-high 16 points.  The Coyotes were 17-for-26 from the free throw line on the evening, most of that coming from Bhasin and Alexcia Mack who combined to go 13-for-15 from the free throw line.

The Gators began the first quarter 0-for-6 to begin the game, their lone point coming when Lawson hit the back end of two free throws.  At the end of the first period the Gators found themselves behind 16-5.  SF State was uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball, turning it over nine times in the opening quarter.  Those nine turnovers led to 10 Coyote points.

In the second period the Gators took back some of the momentum.  They jumped out to an early 5-0 run and twice cut the Coyotes lead to just three points.  Washington provided a bulk of the Gators offense, scoring 10 of SF State's 16 points.  In the second quarter the Gators took over the paint, scoring 12 points inside the key, the remaining buckets came on 3-point buckets by Kotilevskaia and Dashkevich.

Foul trouble by the Gators allowed the Coyotes to maintain their lead, as the Coyotes were 11-for-16 from the charity stipe, allowing them to go into the intermission up 27-21.  Both teams were not particularly effective from the field, the Coyotes connected on just 8-of-27 attempts from the floor for a 29.6 field goal percentage.  The Gators countered with a 28.6 field goal percentage, going 8-for-28 from the floor. 

After the break the Gators settled down and played their game.  SF State took control of the glass, especially on the offensive end and scored 10 second chance points.  From beyond the arc the Gators started to heat up as well, SF State finished the game 5-for-14 from long range, including three after the intermission.

The biggest bucket of the night came with 3:13 in the fourth quarter when Kotilevskaia hit a jumper in front of the Gators bench to tie the score at 43-43.  That's where the Gators good fortune would end.  The Coyotes held on to the win, finishing the game on a 10-4 run.

In the second half the Gators shot 6-for-25, but was 3-for-10 from beyond the arc.  The big difference was the Gators impressive performance at the charity stripe, where SF State was 11-for-14. 

Complete Box Score (HTML)

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.