SAN FRANCISCO – Trailing by 18 points with 5:03 in the third quarter, the SF State women's basketball went on a furious second half rally, eventually cutting the deficit to two points with two minutes left in the game. Sadly, the rally ended there with Sonoma State hanging on for the 50-44 win on Senior Night at The Swamp.
A sluggish first half put the Gators (9-16/6-12 CCAA) in a big hole heading into the break. The Gators shot just 27.7 percent from the floor in the opening half going 5-for-23 from the field, from 3-point range the Gators could not find their range, going 1-for-10.
Sonoma State (9-18/4-14 CCAA) built up a big lead entering halftime going on a 19-4 run over the final seven minutes of the first half. During that stretch the Seawolves were 6-for-11 from the field and 6-for-7 from the charity stripe. Sonoma State's Hanna Sourek scored seven of her team-high 13 points during that seven minute run.
The Gators responded going 1-for-10 from the field during that stretch. Dashkevich scored the Gators only four points.
With the Gators trailing 30-16, the Seawolves appeared poised to run away with the game. Out of the break neither team could get their offense going. Sonoma State eventually increased their lead to 18 by the 5:03 mark in the third quarter.
From there the Gators went on a rampage. Led by
Felicia Villarruel's hot shooting from long range, SF State went on a 26-10 run over the final 12 minutes of the second half. With 2:19 left in the fourth quarter
Naila Washington hit a jumper in the paint that officially made the Gators deficit two points.
From there the Seawolves would hang on, finishing the game off with a series of free throws. Leading the Gators in scoring was senior guard
Tatsiana Dashkevich and Villarruel who scored a game-high 14 points each.
Laura Lawson recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Playing their final home game for the Gators was seniors
Jen Garcia,
Brooke Shimazaki,
Tatsiana Dashkevich, and
Naila Washington.
SF State returns to action next Friday when they take on No. 20 UC San Diego at the Rimac Arena in La Jolla, Calif.
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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.