SAN FRANCISCO – A lopsided first quarter was the difference as the San Francisco State women's basketball team fell at home to visiting UC Merced 62-52 Friday evening at the Main Gym at the Don Nasser Family Plaza.
The Gators (1-3) struggled to find their touch from beyond the arc, SF State was just 2-for-26 from 3-point range all evening. At the charity stripe the Gators shot 52.6 percent, going 10-for-19. From the field the Gators shot 29.0 percent, snapping their run of three-straight games shooting above 40.0 percent.
Lauryn Catching led the Gators scoring a game-high 22 points. Catching finished the night going 9-for-21 from the floor, while grabbing three rebounds, dishing out four assists and recorded two blocks and seven steals.
Also scoring in double-figures tonight was guard
Imani Smith who finished with a career-high 15 points. In the second half SF State's offense was much more efficient, they shot 34.4 percent from the floor going 11-for-13.
A huge first quarter from UC Merced (2-3) was the difference. The Bobcats came out on fire, connecting on their first four 3-point field goals, they went into the second quarter up big, 26-8. Two players finished in double figures for the Bobcats, Aubrey Hayes finished with a team-high 19 points. Allison Wisdom finished with a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 points.
GAME NOTES:
Coaches Quote
"Tonight was just a classic case of one team being more ready to play than another team," said head coach
Dennis Cox. "For whatever reason we didn't respect our opponent tonight, and we lost the game in the first quarter. You can lose a game at any point, and that's when we lost it. Hopefully we can move on from it and learn it."
More On Catching's Big Night
With her 22 points tonight, guard
Lauryn Catching becomes the first player to record back-to-back 20 point games since Katie Batlin did it against Stanislaus State and Chico State on Jan 31-Feb. 1, 2014. Catching scored a career-high 24 points in the win over Holy Names.
Rebound Woes Continue
The Gators once again struggled to put an end to their opponent's offensive possessions. SF State was out rebounded 55-34. The Bobcats recorded 19 offensive rebounds that led to many second chance points.
Creating Turnovers
The Gators got themselves on a roll late in the game with the help of their relentless defensive play. SF State created 27 turnovers on the night that led to 17 points for the Gators, 16 of them coming on fast break points.
Next Up
The Gators return to the road when they make the short trip to San Rafael tomorrow night to take on PacWest foe Dominican at the Igloo at 5:30 p.m.
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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
