Long Beach State University Athletics
Santa Clara Tops LBSU
11/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
49ers Fall to Santa Clara
LONG BEACH, CA – Chandice Cronk had 24 points to lead the visiting Santa Clara Broncos (1-0) to a 76-67 victory over Long Beach State Sunday afternoon in the Walter Pyramid. This was just the fifth home loss for LBSU since 2004. Tyresha Calhoun led the 49ers (0-2) with 16 points, while Kaiti O'Brien posted career-highs in points (13) and rebounds (12). O'Brien also tallied four assists and two steals. Lauren Sims notched her first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Cronk was 4-of-9 from three-point range on the afternoon, while teammate Ashley Graham chipped in with 17 points. Long Beach State shot 42 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Broncos, 49-25. But turnovers proved to be the difference as LB committed 24, while SCU had nine. LBSU chipped away at the 11-point halftime deficit and pulled to within two points at 42-40 after a Sims three-pointer at the 15:17 mark. That was as close as Long Beach State got, as Santa Clara quickly pushed its lead to eight (52-44) after a Cronk three-pointer. The Broncos led by as many as 11 in the period and converted eight free throws in the final 1:54 of the game to preserve the nine-point victory. The 49ers had a positive start to the contest and built an 11-7 lead after a Courtney Jacob layup. Santa Clara responded however with three-point shooting to gain momentum the rest of the period. Cronk nailed a three-pointer to give the Broncos a 20-17 lead, before consecutive three-point baskets by Tracey Walker and Graham put SCU up 28-24 with 2:02 left in the half. After a Wade layup cut the deficit to 28-26, the Broncos used a 9-0 run to end the half for the 37-26 lead. Long Beach State returns to action this Friday when it hosts Montana State at 5 pm. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
