SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State women's basketball team will pay a split schedule this week, hosting William Jessup at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday before going on the road to take on Fresno Pacific on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
The Gators (1-4) went 1-2 last week with a home-opening win over Holy Names to kick off the three-game stretch. The Gators went 0-2 on Friday and Saturday, falling to UC Merced 62-52 at home before wrapping up the week falling to Dominican in San Rafael 77-56.
As a team, SF State is shooting 38.0 percent from the field, averaging 59.8 points per contest. Their opponents are shooting 41.1 percent from the floor and averaging 67.0 points per game. The Gators are shooting 26.4 percent from 3-point range.
Next up, the Gators will open CCAA action when they host Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State East Bay. The game against the Broncos on Friday, December 2 will be a regionally televised game on Comcast Hometown Network.
GAME NOTES
Conference Stats
The Gators currently rank 10
th in the CCAA in points-per-game, averaging 59.8 points per contest. They are sixth in opponents scoring, holding their foes to 67.0 points-per-game. The Gators are eighth in the CCAA in field goal percentage, shooting 38.0 percent from the field.
20-point Effort Times Two
When sophomore guard
Lauryn Catching notched her 20
th point against UC Merced on Friday night, she became the first player since Katie Batlin in the 2013-14 season to record back-to-back 20-point games. Catching recorded a career-high 24 points in the win over Holy Names before backing that up with a 22-point performance against UC Merced.
One Of The Nation's Leaders In Blocked Shots
With the school and conference single season record holder for blocked shots, it's no surprise that the Gators boast one of the best shot blockers in the nation. But with sophomore center
Kiara Ginwright still sidelined, that mantle goes to Catching who is 57
th in the nation with six blocks on the year.
Team-wide Theft
The Gators have been pesky on defense all year, averaging 9.4 steals per contest. As a team, the Gators 47 total steals has them 31
st in the nation. Leading the team with nine steals are guards
Imani Smith and Catching.
About William Jessup
William Jessup, members of the Golden State Athletic Conference in the NAIA, enter Tuesday's contest with an overall record of 3-1. They are fresh of a 92-67 win over Pacific Union last Wednesday. As a team, the Warriors average 71.8 points per contest while shooting 45.2 percent from the field. Their opponents average 62.8 points per game while shooting 36.0 percent from the floor. The Warriors have connected on 34.2 percent of their attempts from beyond the arc and own plus-4 rebound margin over their opponents.
Who To Watch
The Warriors have three players averaging better than 10 points per game. Junior forward Ashlyn Jones leads the team in both points-per-game (17.5) and rebounds-per-game (7.5). The native of Stockton, Calif., has started three games for the Warriors this season and averages 28.8 minutes per game. From the field she is shooting 54.2 percent going 32-for-59 from the floor. Against Pacific Union on Wednesday, she scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds.
Series Versus William Jessup
The Gators and Warriors have faced each other just one time. On December 20, 2013 SF State hosted William Jessup and defeated the Warriors 77-67.
About Fresno Pacific
The Sunbirds are members of the PacWest Conference, and enter this week with an 0-3 record after losses at Seattle Pacific, Western Washington, and most recently a 68-58 loss at the hands of Cal State Monterey Bay at the Kelp Bed. As a team, FPU is averaging 44.67 points per game and shooting 29.8 percent from the floor. Their opponents are averaging 75.33 points per game and shooting 43.5 percent from the field.
Who To Watch
Redshirt sophomore guard Bree Alvarez leads the team in scoring, averaging 14.0 points per contest. After sitting out last season, she has played and started in all three games this season, averaging 27.3 minutes per contest. She is shooting 36.2 percent from the field. Against the Otters on Friday, she scored 20 points, going 8-for-21 from the floor and 4-for-5 from the charity stripe.
Series Versus Fresno Pacific
The Gators and Sunbirds have squared off two time, with the series tied 1-1. The last time these two teams faced each other, was on Dec. 16, 1988 when Fresno Pacific was part of the NAIA. They defeated the Gators at home 77-38.
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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.
