SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco State women's basketball team will wrap up the 2016 calendar with a road contest in Chico, Calif., on Saturday when they tip-off against the host Wildcats at Art Acker Gym at 1:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve.
The Gators (2-8/0-3 CCAA) are well rested, having been off since Dec. 9 when they fell to host Sonoma State 66-46 in Kentfield, Calif., at the College of Marin. SFSU is currently shooting 36.3 percent from the field, while averaging 55.8 points per game. Their opponents are averaging 63.6 points per game, while shooting 41.3 percent from the field.
The Gators are currently riding a four-game losing streak that dates back to Nov. 22 when they defeated William Jessup 60-52 at home. SFSU has two players averaging better than 10 points per game. Leading the team is sophomore guard
Lauryn Catching, who is averaging 10.3 points per contest. Senior center
Donae Moguel is second on the team, averaging 10.1 points per game, she is also tops on the squad averaging 6.0 rebounds per game.
Last time out, a sluggish opening quarter had the Gators playing from behind all evening against Sonoma State, as the Seawolves went on to win 66-46. Catching led SF State with 12 points,
Imani Smith was the only other player in double figures with 10 points, she also had a season-high seven rebounds in the contest.
After the Chico State game, the Gators will play three games in five days starting with a home contest against Humboldt State at the Swamp on Jan. 3 at 4:00 p.m. On Jan. 5 the Gators will travel to Southern California taking on Cal State L.A. at the Eagles Nest at 5:30 p.m. They wrap up the busy schedule in Turlock, Calif., against Stanislaus State on Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES
Dishing The Rock
Running the show for the Gators is junior guard
Toni Edwards. Edwards is currently ninth in the CCAA, averaging 3.3 assists per game, she is also 10
th in the conference in assist/turnover ratio.
Redirecting The Opponents Shot
The Gators are without the nation's leading shot blocker in
Kiara Ginwright. However, the Gators still have two players who rank in the top-15 in blocks per game. Moguel is currently fifth in the league, averaging 1.1 blocks per game. While Catching is 12th in the league, averaging just under a block a game. As a team, SFSU is fifth in the conference, averaging 3.40 blocks per game.
Creating Turnovers
The Gator defense is one of the best in the CCAA in creating turnovers. The Gators are fifth in the conference in steals per game, averaging 8.40 a contest. Five players are averaging better than one steal a game. Leading the team is Moguel who has 13.
Making Her Mark In Conference Play
In her first season facing off against the CCAA, junior forward
Kaitlin DaDalt is adjusting nicely. The transfer from San Joaquin Delta College is averaging a team-best 9.7 points per game in CCAA play. She is also grabbing 2.7 rebounds per game.
About The Wildcats
Chico State will host Cal State Monterey Bay on Dec. 29 at 5:30 p.m. at Art Acker Gym. They enter this week with an overall record of 6-4, which includes a 1-3 mark in the CCAA. At home, they are 4-1 with wins over Western Oregon, Dixie State and Fresno Pacific. As a team, the Wildcats are averaging 63.9 points per game, while shooting 38.8 percent from the floor. Their opponents are averaging 59.3 points per game, while shooting 34.7 percent from the field.
Who To Watch
The Wildcats are led by junior guard Whitney Branham. The 2015-16 All-CCAA Second Team honoree is averaging 15.8 points per game this season, she is shooting 36.8 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from beyond the arc. She has scored in double figures in all but one game this season, and has four 20-point contests. Last time out, she dropped 18 against Sonoma State in the 71-65 win over the Seawolves at home.
Series Versus The Wildcats
The series between the Gators and Wildcats dates back to the old NCIAC days. All-time the Gators are 23-71 against the Wildcats. The first time these two teams faced each other was on Feb. 27, 1971 when the Wildcats defeated the Gators 72-28. Last season, the Gators and Wildcats split the season series, with the home team taking each contest. Last time these two teams squared off was on Jan. 15, 2016 when Chico State defeated SFSU 69-39 at Art Acker Gymnasium.
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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.
