49ers Host UC Irvine on Saturday
LBSU Looking to go 7-0 in BWC Play
January 25, 2006 PDF VERSION of this RELEASE
GAME #19 - UC IRVINE
UC Irvine at Long Beach State • Saturday, Jan. 28 • 2 PM • Walter Pyramid
Listen Live: www.longbeachstate.com (watch all home games live on CSTV.com)
13-5, 6-0 Big West
Home: 10-1 • Away: 3-4 • Neutral: 0-0
What's Hot
1. The 49ers at Home
Long Beach State is 21-3 over its last 24 home games dating back to Nov. 24, 2004. Also in that span, LBSU has knocked off two ranked opponents (Houston, Dec. 20, 2004, 54-52 and USC, Nov. 23, 2005, 51-46). The 49ers are 10-1 at home this season.
2. Defense
Opponents are shooting just .356 against the 49ers this season. LBSU ranks No. 1 in the Big West (No. 21 in the nation) in field goal pct. defense. Long Beach State also ranks No. 1 in the league in scoring defense (59.8). In fact the 49ers held the league's scoring leader, Cal Poly, to 18 points under its season average, after their 78-58 win on Jan. 9.
3. Conference Play
At 6-0 in the Big West, Long Beach State has its best start in league play since the 1988-89 season when LBSU went undefeated (18-0) in its first year in the conference.
4. Offense
The 49ers are averaging 73 points per game in league play, and dropped a conference-high 102 points at CS Northridge on Sunday (Jan. 15). LBSU has won 9 of its last 10 games and have averaged 71.7 points per game in that span. The 49ers rank No. 2 in scoring offense (67.9 ppg), and rank No. 1 in scoring margin (+8.1).
5. Karina Figueroa
The freshman guard has posted six straight double digit scoring efforts, and is averaging 13.2 points per game in league play. Figueroa has also compiled 21 assists and nine steals in conference play this season.
Quickly:
The Long Beach State women's basketball team (11-5, 4-0) looks to extend its winning streak to seven games when it hosts UC Irvine (4-14, 2-4) on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 2 pm from the Walter Pyramid. Long Beach State holds a 39-6 all-time series advantage over the Anteaters dating back to 1984. In fact LBSU has won 13 of the last 14 meetings vs. UCI since 1999. The 49ers had two seven-game win streaks last season (Dec. 30-Jan. 22) and Feb. 10-Feb. 26).
Last Week's Tidbits:
Crystal McCutcheon reached the century mark, after going 3-of-9 from three-point range vs. UC Riverside on Jan. 21 to give her 100 three-point field goals made at The Beach. She is third all-time at LBSU in career three-point field goals made...At 6-0 in the Big West, Long Beach State has its best start in league play since the 1988-89 season when LBSU went undefeated (18-0) in its first year in the conference.
Did You Know?
Long Beach State, as a team, ranks No. 1 in eight categories in the league (Scoring Margin (+8.1); Rebounding Offense (43.7); Rebounding Margin (+3.3); Scoring Defense (59.8); Field Goal % Defense (.356); Offensive Rebounds (15.78/gm); 3-Point Field Goals Made (5.11/gm); Assist/Turnover Ratio (0.80)).
Last Two Games in Review:
(LBSU 62, UC Riverside, 59 • Jan. 21, 2006) The Long Beach State women's basketball team won its sixth straight game, and nine of its last 10, after a 62-59 win over UC Riverside from the Walter Pyramid on Saturday afternoon. Long Beach State also remained perfect in Big West play at 6-0. It is the best start in league play since the 1988-89 season when LBSU went undefeated (18-0) in its first year in the conference. Fernanda Santos posted her third double-double of the season with 15 points and 12 rebounds (eight offensive) to lead The Beach (13-5, 6-0). Crystal McCutcheon poured in 17 points and Karina Figueroa notched 10 points. McCutcheon went 3-of-9 from three-point range to give her 100 three-point field goals made at The Beach. She is third all-time at LBSU in career three-point field goals made. Despite shooting a lower field goal percentage, the 49ers did out-rebound the Highlanders, 43-37, and converted 13-of-17 from the charity stripe. Kemie Nkele posted a game-high 22 points for UCR (5-11, 2-5) in the losing effort. The Highlanders shot 10-of-19 from three-point range. UC Riverside held a 59-58 lead after Seyram Gbewonyo converted a three-point play with 2:54 left in the game. Sophomore Jeannie Saunders intercepted a pass and raced down for a layup to put Long Beach State up 60-59 with 1:08 left, and McCutcheon knocked down two free throws in the final seconds to preserve the three-point victory. Long Beach State improved to 3-4 when trailing at the half this season. UCR held a 30-26 advantage in the first stanza after shooting 40 percent from the field.
(LBSU 64, CS Fullerton 59 • Jan. 19, 2006) The Long Beach State women's basketball team remained perfect in Big West Conference play and extended its winning streak to five games after its 64-59 victory over CS Fullerton on Thursday night from The Walter Pyramid. The last time LBSU started league play at 5-0 was the 2002-03 season. Crystal McCutcheon and Fernanda Santos both registered 17 points to lead The Beach (12-5, 5-0), while Karina Figueroa notched 11 points to highlight the top 49er scoring leaders. Meghan Griffith posted her first double-double of her career with a career-high 10 points and 10 rebounds. This was the fifth straight game that Figueroa has netted double-figures in scoring. Charlee Underwood led CS Fullerton (5-11, 3-3) in the losing effort. Neither team shot particularly well, as LBSU shot for a 39 percent clip (22-of-56) from the field, while CSUF posted a 35 percent effort (24-of-67). Long Beach State erased an eight point second half deficit and took a one-point lead, 47-46, after two successful free throws from Santos with 4:27 left in the game. The 49ers extended their lead to six, 56-50, after two foul shots from Figueroa with one minute left in regulation, before CS Fullerton narrowed the deficit to one point, 60-59, after an Amber Pruitt three-pointer. Four consecutive free throws iced the victory for The Beach over the final 19 seconds.
Opponent 411
>>> UC Irvine (4-14, 2-4)
The Anteaters dropped their first seven games of the season before picking up their first win vs. SE Louisiana on Dec. 17. Angie Ned leads UCI at 12.4 ppg.
>>>Probable Starters
F - Stephanie Duda (6.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
F - Kelly Cochran (8.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg)
G - Kirian Ishizaki (7.5 ppg, 1.4 rpg)
G - Angie Ned (12.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
G - Melissa Jacob (4.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg)
>>>UCI Team Stats
FG% (.357), FT% (.715), RPG (35.8), PPG (64.9)
These Players Come Through Down the Stretch:
Both Karina Figueroa and Crystal McCutcheon have proven to be clutch in the last five minutes of games this season. Figueroa is 13-of-28 from the field (.464) and has converted 14-of-17 free throws when there is five minutes left in the game, while McCutcheon is 21-of-24 from the charity stripe in the last five minutes of the contest.
49ers Shoot Better in the Second Half:
Long Beach State shoots just .364 in the first half of its games this season (201-of-552), but shoots at a .420 clip in the second half (227-of-541).
Home Friendly:
Long Beach State is 21-3 over its last 24 home games dating back to Nov. 24, 2004. Also in that span, LBSU has knocked off two ranked opponents (Houston, Dec. 20, 2004, 54-52 and USC, Nov. 23, 2005, 51-46). The 49ers are 8-1 at home this season.
Long Beach State and Overtime:
The 49ers are 2-1 in extra frames this season (The Beach played three overtime games last season). The 49ers defeated Pepperdine, 81-75 in double OT on Dec. 21. It was the first double OT game since Feb. 23, 1996. LBSU is 18-12 all-time in overtime games.
The Last Time that Happened:
Long Beach State did not record a blocked shot in its 51-46 win over USC on Nov. 23. The last time that happened was at UCSB on Mar. 5, 2005... Karina Figueroa dished out 10 dimes in the season opener at TCU on Nov. 18. The last time that a 49er registered 10 or more assists was Candice Wilson, who had 13 at CS Northridge on Jan. 8, 2005...LBSU shot just .297 in its 58-52 overtime win over San Francisco on Dec. 4., and .296 in its 58-57 loss at Montana on Dec. 10. The last time the 49ers shot .300 or less was against San Francisco on Jan. 2, 2003 when they shot .286 for the game...Jayme Connors became the seventh player in program history, and first since Melissa Gower in 1995 to pull down 20-plus rebounds (21) in a single-game (Pepperdine, Dec. 21). It was also a career-high for Connors...The 49ers pulled down 61 rebounds vs. Pepperdine on Dec. 21. The last time LBSU had 60+ rebounds was 70 vs. CS Fullerton on Dec. 22, 1999...Fernada Santos was 10-of-18 from the free throw line vs. Pepperdine on Dec. 21. the last time a 49er made between 10 to 14 free throws in a game was Glory Johnson vs. Mercer on Dec. 21, 2002...The 49ers recorded a season-low five steals vs. UCSB on Jan. 7...The last time the 49ers have five or fewer steals was at UC Riverside on Feb. 10, 2005...LBSU only had eight assists vs. UCSB on Jan. 7 (it was the second time this season that the 49ers had eight assists)...The last time The Beach had fewer than 10 assists was vs. Morehead State on Dec. 6, 2002....LBSU dropped 102 points at CSUN on Jan. 15, the last time LBSU scored was on Dec. 27, 2001 vs. St. Francis (NY)...LBSU scored 55 points in the second half at CSUN. The last time the 49ers scored 50+ points in a half was 50 at Stony Brook (12/5/04)...The 49ers had five players score in double-figures at CSUN (1/15). The last time the 49ers had five players score in double-figures was vs. CSUF on Jan. 13, 2005...LBSU shot 63 percent from the field at CSUN on Jan. 15. The last time that the 49ers netted 60 percent from the field was at UC Irvine (.633) on Jan. 10, 2002. Player Notes:
#3 Crystal McCutcheon (Big West Player of the Year Candidate)
>>>McCutcheon made her 100th career three-pointer vs. UC Riverside on Jan. 21 (she has made 44 this season)
>>>McCutcheon leads the Big West in scoring average (16.7 ppg) and is averaging 18.1 points per game over her last 10 games. She has scored in double figures 15 times this season, including her last 13 of her last 14 games.
• Scored a career-high 29 points vs. LMU (Dec. 17). The 29 points is also a Big West Conference season-high
• Made 21 consecutive free throws (Dec. 4-Jan. 2)
• Has scored in double-figures 15 times this season (including 13 of her last 14 games, Dec. 4-Jan. 21) and has scored 20+ points seven times
• Has made three or more three-point field goals (in a game) 11 times this season (has made 19 three-pointers in last eight games, Dec. 30-Jan. 21)
• Back-to-Back 17 point performances vs. CS Fullerton (Jan. 19) and UC Riverside (Jan. 21)
• Poured in a game-high 22 points at CSUN on Jan. 15
• Notched 23 points vs. Southern (Dec. 19) and 24 points vs. Pepperdine (Dec. 21)
• 11 points and four steals at Montana State (Dec. 10)
• Scored 20 points (including 4-of-9 from three-point range) at Montana State on Dec. 8
• Scored 13 points and had four steals vs. USC on Nov. 23 (USC was ranked No. 21)
• Hit 3-of-5 from three-point range en route to a 16 point, 5 rebound effort at TCU on Nov. 18
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in scoring (16.7 ppg)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in three-point field goals made per game (2.61)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in steals per game (2.61)
• Ranks No. 1 (No. 19 in the nation) in the Big West in Free Throw % (.877)
#25 Jayme Connors
>>>Passed Angelique Lee as the all-time program leader in defensive rebounds (518)...This season Connors has posted four double-doubles, and leads the Big West Conference in rebounding (9.7/gm). Her 9.7 rebounds per game rank her 29th in the nation (As of Jan. 23). Connors has posted 10 or more rebounds in six of her last nine games (Dec. 21-Jan. 21).
• No. 1 all-time at The Beach with 518 career defensive rebounds. Connors passed Angelique Lee, who had 485 defensive rebounds from 1988-90. Jayme recorded her 500th career defensive rebound vs. Cal Poly on Jan. 9.
• Connors became the seventh player in program history, and first since Melissa Gower in 1995 to pull down 20-plus rebounds (21) in a single-game (Pepperdine, Dec. 21). It was also a career-high for Connors.
• Notched six points, 10 rebounds vs. CS Fullerton on Jan. 19
• Posted eight points and 11 rebounds at Pacific on Jan. 13
• Recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 10 points and 16 rebounds vs. Cal Poly on Jan. 9
• Notched her 11th career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds at UC Davis (1/2)
• Recorded 15 rebounds at Montana (Dec. 10)
• Posted her 10th career double-double with a season-high 18 points and 12 rebounds at Montana State on Dec. 8
• Pulled down 10 rebounds vs. USC (Nov. 23)
• Posted her ninth career double-double with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds in the season opener at TCU on Nov. 18
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West (No. 29 in the nation) in Rebounds per Game (9.7)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in Defensive RPG (6.39)
• Ranks No. 2 in the Big West in Offensive RPG (3.33)
• Ranks No. 2 in the Big West in Minutes per Game (33.28)
#20 Karina Figueroa (Big West Freshman of the Year Candidate)
>>>Karina is averaging 13.2 ppg in conference play and has scored in double figures in six straight games. She has started every game for The Beach this season
• Made her 49er debut with 23 points and 10 assists (1 turnover) at TCU on Nov. 18
• Poured in a combined 21 points vs. CS Fullerton (Jan. 19) and UC Riverside (Jan. 21)
• Notched a team-high 14 points with four assists and three steals at Pacific (Jan. 13)
• Poured in 13 points, seven dimes and two steals at CS Northridge on Jan. 15
• Posted back-to-back double digit scoring efforts -- 13 points vs. UCSB (Jan. 7) and 18 points vs. Cal Poly (Jan. 9)
• Scored 20 points vs. Pepperdine on Dec. 21
• Had seven points, five assists at Montana State (Dec. 8)
• Shooting .724 from the charity stripe (42-for-58)
• Leads the 49ers with 62 assists
• Ranks No. 2 in the Big West in Assists per Game (3.44)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in Assist/TO Ratio (+1.77)
• Ranks No. 9 in the Big West in Free Throw % (.724)
#55 Fernanda Santos
>>>Fernanda has averaged 14.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game over her last four games. She is shooting .467 from the field, converted 16-of-21 free throws and has posted seven steals during that four-game stretch
• Posted her third double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds vs. UC Riverside on Jan. 21
• Netted her second double-double of the season with 15 points and a career-best 13 rebounds at CS Northridge (1/15)
• Notched a career-high 23 points and 11 rebounds in the double overtime win vs. Pepperdine (12/29). Santos was also 10-of-18 from the free throw line. The last time a 49er made between 10 to 14 free throws in a game was Glory Johnson vs. Mercer on Dec. 21, 2002.
• Had nine points, four steals vs. Southern on Dec. 19
• Had seven points and a career-high six assists at Montana State (Dec. 8)
• Two blocks vs. Richmond (Nov. 23)
• Posted three steals with six points and three rebounds in the season opener at TCU (Nov. 18)
#33 Jeannie Saunders
• Big West Player of the Week (Nov. 28)
• Career-High 18 points at CS Northridge (Jan. 15)
• Made 13 consecutive free throws from Dec. 17-Jan. 13
• Ranks No. 4 in the Big West in Three-Point FG% (.392)
• Registered seven assists and pulled down six rebounds vs. UC Riverside on Jan. 21
• Has scored in double figures seven times this season, including 16 points to go along with five dimes vs. LMU (Dec. 17)
• Has had three or more assists seven times this season
• Posted 15 points and four assists vs. Cal Poly on Jan. 9
• Had 12 points vs. Southern (Dec. 19)
• Averaged 12 points per game and shot 63 percent from three-point range in Long Beach State's wins over USC and Richmond
• 3-for-3 from three-point range vs. USC (Nov. 23)
• Netted eight points and four rebounds at Houston on Nov. 20
• Logged 10 minutes of action in the season opener at TCU (Nov. 18) because of a sprained ankle suffered late in the week
#45 Meghan Griffith
• Posted first career double-double ( career-high 10 points, 10 rebounds) vs. CS Fullerton on Jan. 19
• Ranks No. 3 in the Big West in Blocks per Game (1.44). Griffith has a team-high 26 blocks this season
• Ranks No. 8 in the Big West in Rebounds per Game (6.0)
• Scored a nine points and pulled down 10 rebounds with three blocks at Pacific on Jan. 13
• Pulled down 10 boards vs. UCSB on Jan. 7
• Posted eight points at UC Davis (Jan. 2)
• Six points, nine rebounds v.s South Dakota State (Dec. 30)
• Six points, seven rebounds vs. LMU (Dec. 17)
• Had three blocks vs. San Francisco (Dec. 4)
• Career-High 15 rebounds vs. Richmond (Nov. 26)
• Grabbed 12 rebounds and added six points vs. USC on Nov. 23
• Poured in seven points at Houston on Nov. 20
#21 Mary Has
• Poured in a career-high 14 points at CSUN on Jan. 15
• Registered nine points, seven rebounds, two steals at Pacific (1/13)
• Nine points vs. Cal Poly (Jan. 9)
• Posted seven points and three assists vs. Southern (Dec. 19)
• Had five points, two rebounds, and two steals in her 49er debut at TCU (11/2)
• Notched seven points and had a game-high five steals vs. San Francisco on Dec. 4
• Notched 7 points in both wins over USC (Nov. 23) and Richmond (Nov. 26)
Other News...
CSTV: TNG
The next generation of internet broadcasting is here, with the on-going sponsorship between the Big West, Long Beach State and CSTV, Inc., the rest of the home basketball season will be webcast on CSTV.com and the 49er website.
49ers Ink Six for the 2006-07 Season:
Long Beach State women's basketball head coach, Mary Hegarty, announced that six players, Lauren Bagley, Sherissa Bayes, Lindsey Beckner, Nondi Johnson, Lauren Sims, and Ally Wade have all signed National Letters-of-Intent to enroll at Long Beach State for the 2006-07 season. "It's a very talented and deep recruiting class," said Hegarty. "We addressed all of our needs at the post position with four new post players. This class has a strong work ethic and strong academic backgrounds. They will fit nicely with the players we have returning next season. This class will help take our program to the next level."
Wade Top-5 in the OC:
Long Beach State incoming recruit, Ally Wade, was selected as one of the OC Register's Top-5 Players to watch this season. Wade made first team All-County and All-CIF after averaging 18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists and leading her team (El Dorado) to the Division II-AA semifinals. The OC Register also listed 49er incoming recruit, Lauren Bagley (Foothill), as another player on its watch list.
Big West Pre-Season Predictions are Out:
The Big West Conference had its annual media day on Nov. 2 and the Long Beach State women's basketball team was picked to finish second by both the conference's eight coaches and the media. Senior Crystal McCutcheon also made the pre-season all-conference team. In the media poll, the women compiled 67 points, with one first place vote behind UCSB's 79 points and nine first place votes. In the coaches poll, the women received two first place votes and 43 overall points to UCSB's 46.
Four Double-Headers this Season:
The 49er women will play four doubleheaders with the men's team this season. The first was on December 30 as the women defeated South Dakota State and the men defeated Cornell. On January 28 both teams will tangle with UC Irvine in The Walter Pyramid (2 & 5 pm). On February 11 on the 49er campus the women will take on Pacific (3 pm) while the men tangle with UCSB (5:30 pm). The final doubleheader will be on March 4 at UC Irvine (4 & 7 pm).
The Beach on TV:
When Long Beach State tangles with UC Santa Barbara on February 18 in Santa Barbara, the game will be aired on Fox Sports West 2 at 5:00 p.m.
The 05-06 Schedule:
Five of Long Beach State's non-conference opponents advanced to the NCAA post-season last season, including TCU, Houston, USC, Montana, and Richmond. Conference rival, UC Santa Barbara also advanced to the NCAA post-season as well.
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