OAKLAND, Calif. – After taking a lead early in the first quarter, the San Francisco women's basketball team never looked back and dispatched Simon Frasier 83-65 to open the season. The Gators shot well throughout the game and finished with a blazing 53.4 shooting percentage and shot 52.0 percent beyond the arch.
- The Gators win their season opener for the first time since the 2017-18 season. This was the first meeting with SImon Fraser since 2013 when the Gators fell 82-72.
- Jolene Armendariz led all players with 17 points. Mya Blake and Taimane Lesa-Hardee each had 16.
- The Gators had 24 personal fouls compared to SFU's 11.
- Simon Fraser outrebounded the Gators 29-11 with 15 of them offensive.
- The Gators had eight steals. Blake had a game high three, followed by Armendariz with two.
- Jessica Wisotzki had 13 points for SFU.
- Like SF State, Simon Fraser did not compete during the 2020-21 academic year. SFU was selected to finish fourth in the GMAC this season.
The Gators raced out to a 16-5 lead to open the first quarter. SFU chipped away and came within four until a layup by Alexsandra Alvarado cut the scoring drive. A pair of made free throws by SFU closed out the quarter.
After tying the game 23-23, Blake and Muirae Gomez each scored five points to put the Gators back on top. SF State shot 5-for-8 from three to give the Gators a 46-36 lead going into the half.
The Gators opened the third quarter with back-to-back buckets and held SFU scoreless for almost three minutes. SF State led by double-digits the rest of the way and by as much as 18 points as they ended the quarter with a 65-49 lead.
SFU came within 10 of the Gators midway through the final frame. A big three from Lesa-Hardee sparked a 10-0 scoring run that put the Gators up for good.
"We came out as the aggressors versus a very well coached team full of upper classmen that can shoot the lights out any given night. We are aware of our shortcomings but played completely to our strengths. Blue collar defense and unselfishness," said Head Coach Natasha Smith. "Freshman Mya Blake orchestrated our offense all night with her poise and ability to get everyone involved. Jolene Armendariz shot the ball with Curry like confidence. While our best returning defender Taimane sat a great deal with being in foul trouble, elite freshman defenders Samaria Velazquez and Kali Myers are vastly responsible for pressuring Simon Fraser to just making four 3's."
"It was a complete team effort that we wish to continue to build on. I'm extremely proud of the way we competed and played tonight."
San Francisco State will return to Oakland Saturday, November 13 to face Montana State Billings. Tip-off is slated for noon. Live stats available at sfstategators.com and a live stream (Subscription required) is available here. Updates will also be available on Twitter at @sfstate_wbb.
