49ers Begin Big West Action at Home
UCSB and Cal Poly Invade Walter Pyramid
January 4, 2006
PDF VERSION of this RELEASE GAME #13 - UC SANTA BARBARA
GAME #14 - CAL POLY
UCSB at Long Beach State • Saturday, Jan. 7 • 2 PM • The Walter Pyramid
Cal Poly at Long Beach State • Monday, Jan. 9 • 7:30 PM • The Walter Pyramid
Listen Live: www.longbeachstate.com (watch all home games live on CSTV)
7-5, 0-0 Big West
Home: 6-1 • Away: 1-4 • Neutral: 0-0
What's Hot...
1. The 49ers at Home
Long Beach State is 17-3 over its last 20 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 6-1 at home this season.
2. Crystal McCutcheon
Averaging 21.5 points per game in her last four games, including 13 three-point field goals made.
3. Scoring Average
Long Beach State is averaging nearly 70 points per game (69.8) over its last four games.
4. Defense
Opponents are shooting just .353 against the 49ers this season. LBSU ranks No. 1 in the Big West in field goal pct. defense. Long Beach State also ranks No. 1 in the league in scoring defense (60.5)
Quickly:
The Long Beach State women's basketball team (7-5, 0-0) returns home to open its conference schedule vs. UC Santa Barbara (5-6, 1-0) on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 2 pm, and Cal Poly (7-4, 2-0) on Monday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 pm. LBSU is 38-34 all-time vs. UCSB, but has not defeated the Gauchos since Jan. 9, 1994 -- a streak of 28 straight games. The Beach owns a 30-8 all-time series lead over Cal Poly since 1964. LBSU is 2-2 in its last four games vs. the Mustangs.
Last Week in Review:
Long Beach State dropped a 67-64 decision at UC Davis on Monday. It was the first loss to UC Davis in program history...The 22 points scored in the second half were the fewest points for a second half this season...Crystal McCutcheon moved closer to fourth place on the all-time 3pt field goals made chart after she connected for four three-pointers against the Aggies to give her 89 for her career at The Beach...Neisha Williams is fourth all-time (91), followed by Adara Newidouski (93), and Lauren Bull (103)...Jayme Connors recorded 10 defensive rebounds to give her 480 for her career at LBSU...Connors needs just five defensive rebounds to tie the program's all-time mark of 485 set by Melissa Gower (1992-95).
Last Two Games in Review:
(UC Davis 67, LBSU 64, Jan. 2) The Long Beach State women's basketball team had its three game win streak snapped after a 67-64 loss at UC Davis from The Pavilion on Monday night. Crystal McCutcheon paced The Beach (7-5) with 19 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, and three steals. McCutcheon was also 4-of-8 from three point range. McCutcheon (89 career three-pointers) is two three-pointers away from tying Neisha Williams for fourth place on the all-time career three point field goals made list. Jayme Connors registered a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Meghan Griffith chipped in with eight points. Long Beach State shot 46 percent from the field (23-of-50), but were out-rebounded, 38-32. Jessica Campbell led UC Davis (6-7) with 16 points. The Aggies converted 21-of-29 free throw attempts and shot 34 percent from the field (19-of-55). The 49ers held a nine point lead at 57-48 with 7:29 left in the game, when the Aggies went on 13-6 run to tie the contest at 61-61 at the 3:56 mark. The Aggies took the lead for good at 64-62 after two free throws from Jackie Turpin with 1:54 remaining. Long Beach State controlled the pace in the first half, shooting 64 percent on 16-of-25 shooting from the field. McCutcheon led The Beach with 13 first half points, including three three-pointers. LBSU owned a nine point lead, 21-12, after a Val Willhoit jumper at the 11:35 mark, before the Aggies cut the deficit to one point, 23-22, after a 10-2 run in a three minute span. UC Davis took a one point lead (25-24), before Long Beach State climbed back on top, 26-25 after a Santos layup with 6:50 remaining in the half. The 49ers increased their lead back to nine points, 36-27, after a Saunders layup and held its biggest lead at 13, 42-29, after two consecutive Saunders free throws. A Jessica Campbell three-pointer at the buzzer cut the Long Beach State lead to eight, 42-34.
(LBSU 58, South Dakota State 55, Dec. 30) The Long Beach State women's basketball team won its third straight game after a 58-55 win over South Dakota State from The Walter Pyramid on Friday afternoon. The win gave Head Coach Mary Hegarty 200 career victories. Hegarty earned 160 career victories during her 10-year tenure at Chapman College (1993-2003). Hegarty has been at the helm for the 49ers since the 2003-04 season and has compiled a 40-29 mark in three seasons. Crystal McCutcheon paced the 49ers (7-4) with 20 points, to go along with five assists, and eight rebounds. This was the fourth straight game that McCutcheon has scored 20 or more points. McCutcheon was also 2-for-2 from the foul line, extending her free throw streak to 19 straight, dating back to Dec. 4 vs. San Francisco. Jayme Connors added 10 points and four rebounds, and Jeannie Saunders chipped in with eight points. Long Beach State held a 29-28 lead at halftime and held a 10-point advantage, 44-34, at the 10:51 mark in the second half. South Dakota State then went on a 16-6 run and trimmed the deficit to two points (50-52) after a Jennifer Warkenthein layup with 3:39 left in regulation. Two consecutive foul shots by McCutcheon gave The Beach a 54-53 lead, before two Vogel foul shots put SDSU up by one point, 56-55 with 41 seconds left. A Karina Figueroa jumper and two free throws by Connors allowed LBSU to preserve the three-point victory.
Opponent 411
>>> UC Santa Barbara (5-6, 1-0)
After losing its first five games the Gauchos have won five of their last six games, including the conference opener on Jan. 2 vs. UC Riverside, 73-48
>>>Probable Starters
F - Jenna Green (15.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
F - Autumn Nichols (8.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
G - Jessica Wilson (9.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
G - Karena Bonds (7.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
G - LaShay Fears (6.3 ppg, 1.6 rpg)
>>>UCSB Team Stats
FG% (.378), FT% (.700), RPG (36.9), PPG (64.2)
>>> Cal Poly (7-4, 2-0)
The Mustangs have jumped out to a 2-0 conference record. In fact CP has averaged 84 points per game. Jessica Eggleston is averaging 17 ppg in conference
>>>Probable Starters
F - Emilie Ravn (9.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
F - Jessica Eggleston (11.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
C - Sarah Grieve (8.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
G - Anthonia Newman (5.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
G - Michelle Henke (4.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
>>>Cal Poly Team Stats
FG% (.415), FT% (.671), RPG (43.5), PPG (74.8)
Home Friendly:
Long Beach State is 17-3 over its last 20 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 6-1 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 by 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 (23) 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.
Player Notes:
#3 Crystal McCutcheon
• Scored a career-high 29 points vs. LMU (Dec. 17)
• Passed Trise Jackson for fifth place on the all-time career 3pt field goals made chart (89).
• Made 21 consecutive free throws (Dec. 4-Jan. 2)
• Has scored in double-figures 10 times this season (including eight straight games, Dec. 4-Jan. 2) and scored 20+ points in four consecutive games (Dec. 17-30)
• Has made three or more three-point field goals (in a game) nine times this season (has made 10 three-pointers in last three games, Dec. 21-Jan. 2)
• 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 (17.1 ppg)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in three-point field goals made per game (2.75)
• Ranks No. 2 in the Big West in steals per game (3.00)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in Free Throw % (.903)
#25 Jayme Connors
• No. 2 all-time at The Beach with 480 career defensive rebounds. Connors passed Melissa Gower on Dec. 10 at Montana for the #2 slot...She is five (5) rebounds away from tying the program record for defensive rebounds (485 - Angelique Lee)
• Connors became the seventh player in program history, and first since Melissa Gower in 1995 to pull down 20-plus rebounds (23) in a single-game (Pepperdine, Dec. 21). It was also a career-high for Connors
• 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 in Rebounds per Game (10.2)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in Defensive RPG (6.42)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in Offensive RPG (3.75)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in Minutes per Game (35.83)
#20 Karina Figueroa
• Made her 49er debut with 23 points and 10 assists (1 turnover) at TCU on Nov. 18
• Scored 20 points vs. Pepperdine on Dec. 21
• Had seven points, five assists at Montana State (Dec. 8)
• Shooting .792 from the charity stripe (19-for-24)
• Leads the 49ers with 41 assists, and ranks third in steals (14)
• Ranks No. 3 in the Big West in Assists per Game (3.42)
• Ranks No. 1 in the Big West in Assist/TO Ratio (+1.86)
#55 Fernanda Santos
• Notched career-highs in points (23) and rebounds (11) 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)
• Ranks No. t-4 in the Big West in Three-Point FG% (.394)
• Has scored in double figures four times this season, including a season-high 16 points to go along with five dimes vs. LMU (Dec. 17)
• Has had three or more assists six times this season
• 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
• 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 a career-best seven points at Houston on Nov. 20
• Posted a career-high five rebounds at TCU on Nov. 18
• Ranks No. 9 in the Big West in Rebounds per Game (5.4)
#21 Mary Has
• 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). February 11 will be Homecoming on the 49er campus and 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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