With only three games left in the season, the women’s basketball team suffered another home loss when the Cal State Chico Wildcats beat SF State, 96-55.

The Gators knew Cal State Chico, ranked 16th in the nation and first in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), was going to be a tough opponent.

After the loss Friday night, SF State dropped to 3-14 in the CCAA and 8-16 overall.

“We got beat by a really good team,” head coach Joaquin Wallace said. “They had more energy, more passion, and they knew what they were doing out there. I feel we gave up too soon. We didn’t play well.”

The game was physical and aggressive, with a total of 21 Gator fouls and 26 for the Wildcats.

But turnovers were the biggest problem for the Gators. The Wildcats scored 31 of their total points from turnovers and fast breaks.

“We turned the ball over 29 times in the game and you can’t win with that,” Wallace said. “They scored 22 points off of turnovers (in the second half) and you can’t win, not against a team like that anyway.”

Gator forward Marie Tomasulo felt that the Wildcats wanted the game more, right from the start.

“They wanted the ball right from tip-off,” Tomasulo said.

At the end of the first half, SF State held the Wildcats to a slim nine-point lead. The Gators moved the ball well and were quick on their feet, enabling them to close in on the Wildcat’s lead.

“We were right with them in the first half,” forward Leslie Miller said. “The same thing happened the last time we played them. I think we kind of lose that momentum and we’re easily discouraged.”

Although Miller and her team were prepared, she said basic basketball is what the Gators as a whole were lacking during the game. She agrees with Coach Wallace that turnovers were a key to their loss.

“We telegraphed a lot of our passes so they got a lot of easy fast break lay-ups,” Miller said. “I mean they’re a solid team all around. Whereas tonight I think we prepared for this game, but it’s just the simple fundamentals like fake a pass to make a pass, and not looking at right where you’re going to pass. Little things like that hurt us.”

During the second half, the Gators saw the game slip away as they were out-scored, out-rebounded, and out-played by the Wildcats.

But Miller remains positive and hopeful about the upcoming games. The last game of the season will be played on the road against CSU San Bernardino.

“Its kind of nice to be ending with a team that we kind of match up a little better with,” Miller said. “With San Bernardino, there’s a good possibility that we can do better.”

As a graduating senior, Miller is excited about the final game and knows it will be a good one.

“It’s going to be their senior night, too, so it’s the last game for both teams,” Miller said. “I don’t think they’re going to regionals, so it’s like an all out. I’m sure it’s going to be a battle.”