Two losses to begin the preseason have sent Gator women’s basketball coach Joaquin Wallace a message about his player’s ability.

After Tuesday night’s 69-57 fall to the University of San Francisco, which followed Sunday’s 75-69 loss to the University of Santa Clara, the coach acknowledged his players’ abilities to hang with the bigger Division I programs.

“[Tonight] I learned we can play with anyone,” Wallace said. “We have a program that’s definitely moving in the right direction.”

The coach, entering his third season, tried to get as many of his players into the exhibition games to evaluate their performances before the team’s Nov. 17 preseason opener at the University of Pacific in Stockton.

Junior forward Krystle Mays recorded a double double with team highs 15 points and 15 rebounds.

The Gators struggled from beyond the three-point line shooting a dismal 10 percent going 2-19. The Gators fared better from the free throw line converting 15 of 19.

The Dons, who scored 39 points in the second half and shot 54.5 percent from the field, kept their 30-26-halftime lead throughout the second half.

“[The game] just came down to execution in the second half,” Wallace said.

Dons forwards Necolia Simmons and Dominique Carter made their presences felt as they combined for 10-23 from the field, 9-10 from the free throw line, and pulled down 22 rebounds.

“They were really good in the post,” Gator center Krystle Brown said of the Dons. “The whole team was really good.”

Despite the losses the players remained optimistic, hoping the exhibition games will help prepare them for preseason and then conference play.

“We just did everything so well which helps in all aspects of the game,” Brown, who had two rebounds in 16 minutes played, said.

Coach Wallace agreed.

“Right now, every player who can respond is needed because once conference time comes, we know what to work for,” he said.