Box Score SAN FRANCISCO – With seemingly everything not going its way in the final five minutes, Humboldt State saw its eight-point lead evaporate as San Francisco slipped past for a 72-70 win in the final 23 seconds.
 
As has been the case in many games this season, the Lumberjacks hit a dry spell scoring over a five-minute period on seven empty offensive trips. The unproductive trips enabled the home Gators run off eight-straight points to tie, 68-68, and net 12 of the final 14 points to edge out the crucial victory.
 
The HSU (11-10) defeat dropped it to 8-9 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with five games left in the season. San Francisco State (13-10) moves a game ahead at 9-8.
 
"We had a string of tough calls and missed opportunities offensively. We missed a couple shots we should have had," said HSU coach Joddie Gleason.
 
The Jacks' missed opportunities included an tough evening at the foul line. The North Coast club made only 15 of 23 attempts. HSU also squandered its best offensive board night with 24.
 
"We missed free throws. We had plenty of opportunities on them and missed shots off offensive rebounds you have to make," added the HSU coach.
 
In her best game of recent weeks, senior Kelly Kime paced the HSU attack. Kime hit six of nine tries including three 3-pointers for 18 points, while pulling down seven rebounds.
 
Kersey Wilcox chipped in 11 points and six assists, while Dani Gaumer added 11 points of her own to go with seven boards.
 
Amanda Kunst grabbed 13 caroms and scored seven points. Megan Shields contributed eight points and six rebounds, while Sumayyah Wiggins had six scores and six boards.
 
HSU made only 24 of 77 tries from the floor for a 31.2-percent clip.
 
San Francisco State received big nights from Katie Batlin and Angela Van Sickel of 23 and 22 points, respectively.
 
In a high-scoring first 20 minutes, the Gators held a nine-point, 24-15 lead after eight minutes. The Jacks, though, finished strong with the final nine tallies for a 49-43 intermission lead.
 
HSU led by seven points two times, 54-47 and 58-51, in the second half. The visiting team saw the difference down to a single point, 59-58, before pushing it to the largest of the half of eight, 68-60, to set up the final five minutes.
"We hope to bury this one quickly," stressed Gleason. "We have to win some games in a row and make a run in these last games."
 
HSU will be conclude its weekend of games with a 5:30 p.m. Saturday night contest at rival Sonoma State.