SAN FRANCISCO – The SF State women's basketball team returns to action on Friday after a week off and look to begin the 2015 year with a bang, hosting Bay Area rivals Cal State East Bay and Cal State Monterey Bay in back-to-back CCAA contests, both games are slated for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.
 
The Gators enter Friday's contest against the Pioneers with an overall record of 0-8 including 0-4 in the CCAA.  Last week the Gators battled but fell on the road against Sonoma State 70-64.  As a team, the Gators are averaging 55.9 points per contest and are shooting 35.3 percent from the floor.  Their opponents are averaging 73.5 points per game and are shooting 45.4 percent from the field.
 
Leading the team is senior forward Michelle Sutton.  Sutton averages 12.1 points per game, she has scored in double figures in all but one contest this season.  Joining Sutton in double figures is fellow senior forward Leticia Galarza and freshman forward Savannah Camp. 
 
In the previous two contests against Sonoma State, Galarza let it up from beyond the arc going a combined 6-for-14 including an impressive 5-for-9 shooting performance from distance on Dec 12.  Galarza leads the Gators with 10 made three point baskets on the year, she also averages 4.4 rebounds per game.
 
Camp is having a breakout season for the Gators.  The freshman is averaging 10.1 points per game, she is one of the leading freshman scorers in the CCAA.  Early in her career she already boasts two double-doubles as she leads the Gators, averaging 5.0 rebounds per contest. 
 
Junior Jasmine Flanagan was named the Gator Athlete of the Week last week for her effort against Sonoma State on the road.  Flanagan finished with a game-high 21 points, 15 coming in the second half.  Flanagan has two 20 point contests so far this season, she scored 20 against MSU-Moorhead in the season opener before setting a new career-high in the road loss to the Seawolves last week.
 
The Pioneers enter Friday's contest with an overall record of 8-2 including a 3-1 mark in the CCAA.  In the pre-season coaches' poll Cal State East Bay was picked to finish the season seventh in the conference, they are off to a hot start and are currently sitting tied for third.  The Pioneers are riding a four-game winning streak which includes a thrilling two point victory on the road over Cal State Monterey Bay.  As a team, the Pioneers are averaging 68.4 points per contest which is seventh in the CCAA, they are shooting 40.4 from the floor which is third in the conference.  Their opponents are averaging 60.0 points per contest and shooting 35.3 percent from the floor.  
 
Three players are averaging better than 10 points per game for the Pioneers, leading the team is senior guard Stephanie Lopez, the 2013-14 Second Team All-CCAA honoree is averaging 19.4 points per contest which is second in the conference.
 
Saturday's opponent, Cal State Monterey Bay enters this weekend with an overall record of 2-7 which includes a 0-4 mark in the CCAA.  The Otters are currently mired in a four-game skid which includes back-to-back losses at the hands of Cal State East Bay.  As a team the Otters average 64.0 points per game while shooting 38.3 percent from the floor, both numbers are in the bottom half of the conference.  Senior guard Jenna Bandy leads the Otters, scoring 14.1 points per contest, she is the only player in double figures for Cal State Monterey Bay. 
 
For fans not able to attend Friday and Saturday's contests, live stats and video is available for both contests which can be accessed on upcoming events on the front of the website.  For in game updates be sure to follow the Gators on twitter @SFStateGators. 

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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 @SFStateGators.