[ Golden Gater Online - December 16, 1997 ]
Adam Weiler
Staff writer
It was a tale of two halves for the SF State women's basketball team on Tuesday night against Holy Names College.
After SF State freshman Eleanor Ecoffey cut the Hawks lead to 56-53 with just over a minute to play, Holy Names forward Kayatta Patton was fouled and stepped to the free throw line. After connecting on the first shot, Patton released the second. The crowd held their breath as the ball bounced off the front rim and suspended itself on the back rim. As two Gators jumped for the rebound, the ball came to a stop on the iron.
The crowd buzzed, and the officials ruled it a jump ball with the ball going to the Hawks on the change of possession arrow. The play was typical of the second half for the Gators, who saw an eight-point lead in the first half evaporate in the opening moments of the second half. The Hawks used a 6-0 run out of the locker room and 21 second-half free throws to upset the Gators 63-54.
"It was a crazy play," said Terry O'Conner, a broadcast major at SF State attending the game. "I don't think I've ever seen anything like that."
The first half was dominated by the Gators trapping defense, holding the Hawks to 19 points and 21 percent shooting. Offensively, the Gators were led by senior point guard Sheri Hiraki and junior forward Dawn Page, tying for the team lead in points with six in the first half.
The Hawks came out in the second half trapping aggressively and attacking the Gators defense, which led to foul trouble for SF State. Page was forced to sit five minutes into the second half after picking up her fourth personal.
"We just came out flat in the second half," said head coach Arden Kragalott.
With fouls mounting, the Hawks were awarded the bonus with just under 10 minutes remaining,. Holy Names shot 26 free throw attempts in the second half, doubling SF State's 13.
"It was a frustrating game," forward Shannon Watanabe said.
Junior guard Allison Lopez cut the Hawks lead to 42-40, after hitting both free throws. The Gators kept the game close, tying it on a baseline jumper from Ecoffey.
Senior captains Watanabe and Hiraki were forced to play cautiously for much of the second half, both with four personal fouls. Page, who scored six points and grabbed six rebounds, fouled out with five minutes left in the game.
"As a captain I should have stepped up my game," Watanabe said. "The team, including myself, just didn't look focused."
Hiraki was the only Gator in double digits, finishing with 12 points and three assists.
"As a team, we're still growing. We took a big step against San Bernardino, but we digressed tonight," said Watanabe, referring to SF State's close loss to California State University at San Bernardino two weeks ago.
SF State followed the loss to Holy Names with a 59-48 loss to Point Loma-Nazarene on Saturday. Page led all Gators with 12 points. SF State was once again in foul trouble as Watanabe fouled out with five points and two assists.
Kragalott is anxiously awaiting the return of senior center Michelle Wenzler later this week.
Three consecutive losses have dropped the Gators to 2-5 overall.
[ Golden Gater - December 16, 1997 ]