49ers Host Montana State, Oregon
LB Searching for First Win
November 14, 2006 PDF VERSION of this RELEASE Game # 3 vs. Santa Clara
Game #4 vs. Oregon
Montana State at Long Beach State • Friday, Nov. 17 • 5 PM • Walter Pyramid
Oregon at Long Beach State • Sunday, Nov. 19 • 2 PM • Walter Pyramid
Listen Live: www.longbeachstate.com (watch all home games live on CSTV.com)
Ok, It's An 0-2 Start, But...
The 49ers Are Starting to Gel...
After putting up 50 points against the nation's 20th-ranked team ( USC was #22 on Nov. 10), Long Beach State got double-scoring from four players in the nine-point loss to Santa Clara on Sunday. And Santa Clara is no cupcake opponent...The Broncos won the WCC regular season last year and lost by two points to Pepperdine in the conference championship.
• Rebounding improved from 29 total at USC to 49 total vs. Santa Clara on Sunday...The Broncos only had 25 for the contest a +24 differential
LB is still tough at Home...
Long Beach State is 24-5 over its last 29 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 went 13-2 in the Walter Pyramid last season.
The Newcomers Are Contributing...
Tyresha Calhoun, Lauren Sims, and Courtney Jacob are averaging 21.0 points per game...In fact Calhoun has led the 49ers in scoring in both contests this season
The 49ers Started 0-2 last Season...
Don't forget Long Beach State started 0-2 last season, before finishing 05-06 with an 18-10 record and a conference championship Quickly:
The Long Beach State women's basketball team searches for its first win of the season when it hosts Montana State (0-1) on Friday, Nov. 17 at 5 pm. The 49ers play host to Oregon on Sunday at 2 pm. Long Beach State defeated Montana State last season on the road, 83-66. LB has not faced Oregon since 1995.
What You Should Know: about The Beach
In her fourth season as head coach, Mary Hegarty has her youngest squad in her short tenure at LBSU. However, the 2005-06 conference Coach of the Year is quite optimistic with her 13 newcomers (eight freshmen) and five returnees. One of the key returnees is sophomore Karina Figueroa. The 5-8 guard will be called upon to lead the young squad. Figueroa, who averaged 9.6 points per game last season, was selected to the Pre-Season All-Conference Team as well. Other returnees include: Val Willhoit (3.0 ppg), Randi Cameron (1.2 ppg), and Kaiti O'Brien (2.0 ppg). The 49ers were conference co-champions last season.
06-07 Squad Breakdown
Seniors 1 (Willhoit); Juniors 3 (Calhoun, Musina, Pagani); Sophomores 5 (Cameron, Figueroa, O'Brien, Pena, Saucedo); Freshmen 8 (Bagley, Beckner, Jacob, Johnson, Sims, Takata, Timmons, Wade); Redshirt Freshman 1 (Foster)
Last Game Recap (vs. Santa Clara, Nov. 12)
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.
Montana State Notes (0-1)
Montana Tech handed the Montana State women's basketball squad a 66-57 setback in the season-opener for the Bobcats, Sunday afternoon in Worthington Arena. Rebecca Gimeno notched a game-high 19 points and ten rebounds to pace the Oregdiggers. "We had prepared well the entire week, but when it came time to play we weren't ready," said second-year head coach Tricia Binford. "We need to identify why we didn't come ready. We need to do a much better job of preparing ourselves, mentally."
Oregon Notes (First Regular Season Game at UCSB on Friday)
Former Oregon City star Jessica Richter had 30 points and propelled the #1 ranked NAIA Vanguard Lions 64-60 upset of the Oregon women Monday night. The Lions had 15 steals and forced 31 Oregon turnovers in the Ducks final game of the exhibition
season. Eleanor Haring led Oregon with 14 points, making 7-of-10 field goals. For the game, the Ducks out rebounded Vanguard, 30-26, and shot 46.9 percent from the field compared to Vanguard's 42 percent. Their offensive miscues caught up with them,
however, as Vanguard scored 31 of its points off of Oregon turnovers. "We have to go back into training and work hard starting tomorrow," said Haring. "We understand what we did wrong and what we need to do to correct it." After trailing at the half, 27-26, the Ducks opened the second half with a 13-6 run and appeared to be taking control of the game, but a persistent Vanguard squad refused to go away and responded with a 14-4 run of their own. The Ducks open their regular season on the road against UC
Santa Barbara this Friday.
BWC Pre-Season Polls
Long Beach State was picked to finish third in the Big West Conference in both the coaches and media polls released in October.
Home Friendly
Long Beach State is 24-5 over its last 29 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 went 13-2 in the Walter Pyramid last season.
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. Fans can also listen live to all 49er games via www.longbeachstate.com
2006-07 49ers
After claiming its first conference championship in 15 years last season, Long Beach State is reloaded and ready to contend for a second consecutive crown and a post-season berth this season. "I can't say it enough, but I've never been more excited about coaching any team more than this one," boasted fourth year head coach Mary Hegarty. "We have solid returnees and enthusiastic, hard working newcomers who bring a lot of energy to this program. We have players who are proud to be a part of Long Beach State and the tradition we've had here. They are eager to help this program excel." Despite being a very young squad (eight true freshmen on the roster), what really has Hegarty excited is the fact that the 06-07 team has more height, depth, perimeter shooting, and the important ability to score in the paint than any of her previous teams at LBSU.
Player Notes
#20 Karina Figueroa
>>Pre-Season All-Conference
• Tallied 11 points vs. Santa Clara on Nov. 12
• Posted 12 points at #22 USC (Nov. 10)
#2 Tyresha Calhoun
>>Leads the team in scoring average (15.0 ppg)
>>10-for-10 from the charity stripe this season
• Led the team with 16 points (was also 6-for-6) from the line vs. Santa Clara on Nov. 12
• Registered 14 points and five assists in her 49er debut at #22 USC on Nov. 10
#23 Kaiti O'Brien
>>Leads the 49ers at 8.5 rebounds per Game
• Registered her first career double-double (13 and 12) with four assists and two steals vs. Santa Clara on Nov. 12
•Tallied 8 points and 5 rebounds vs. #22 USC on Nov. 10
#3 Lauren Sims
>>Averaging 32 minutes per Game
• Posted her first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds (both career-highs) vs. Santa Clara on Nov. 12
#21 Courtney Jacob
>>Solid Contributor off the bench
• Had seven points, seven rebounds, and three assists vs. Santa Clara on Nov. 12
• Made her 49er debut with eight points, six rebounds, and a steal at #22 USC
Big West News (as provided by the league office, Nov. 14)
After the first week of the new season, Cal State Fullerton is the lone team in the conference that remains undefeated after the Titans downed San Jose State, 64-52, to claim their first season-opener win since 2002. With the win, Head Coach Dr. Maryalyce Jeremiah became the winningest coach in the history of the program with 141 victories. This week the Titans visit the midwest to play three games over a five-day span which includes trips to Iowa State, Nebraska and Drake.
Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara both posted 1-1 records after the first week of play. The Matadors begin a four-game road trip on Friday night when they travel to San Jose State for a 7:00 p.m. showdown. Two days later Cal State Northridge heads to Boulder, Colo. to take on the Colorado Buffaloes for a Sunday matinee.
After falling to No. 23 UCLA, 87-62, the Gauchos continue to face Pac-10 opponents this week as they welcome the Oregon Ducks to The Thunderdome on Friday night. The series is tied at 1-1.
Tuesday, Nov. 14 the Highlanders travel to San Diego for matchup with the Toreros at the Jenny Craig Pavilion. Last year UCR gained its first-ever victory over USD with a score of 63-56. UC Riverside opens the home portion of its schedule on Saturday night when they welcome 20th-ranked UCLA. The Highlanders are 3-11 against Pac-10 schools and trail the all-time series with the Bruins 8-2. Tip-off is slated for 7:00 p.m.
Under the helm of first-year coach Lynne Roberts, the Pacific Tigers entertain the Colorado State Rams for the first game of the season at the Alex G. Spanos Center. The first ever meeting between the two teams begins at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 19.
Monday night UC Irvine opened the season with a loss to Eastern Washington, but look to bounce back this week when they travel to New Mexico State and UTEP. Friday night the Anteaters will face the Aggies, followed by a Saturday-night matchup with the Miners. UCI leads the series with UTEP, 1-0, while NMSU holds a 13-10 edge over the Anteaters.
Long Beach State, who suffered two losses during opening week, welcomes Montana State and Oregon to The Walter Pyramid, where they dominated last year with a 13-2 record. The showdown with the Bobcats is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17, while LBSU entertains the Ducks on Sunday afternoon. This will be the 49ers' second game against the Pac-10 in as many weeks.
Tuesday night marks the start of Cal Poly's home season as the Mustangs entertain the Oregon State Beavers at Mott Gym. Three days later Cal Poly travels up the coast to face the Santa Clara Broncos. Game times for both matches are slated for 7:00 p.m.
And Finally
Long Beach State head coach, Mary Hegarty announced that three players -- LaTorya Barbee (Moreno Valley/Canyon Springs HS), Ashley Bookman (Redondo Beach/Redondo Union HS), and Brittany Brumfield (Long Beach/Long Beach Poly HS) have all signed National Letters-of-Intent to enroll at LBSU for the 2007-08 season. "All three come from excellent high school programs and we continue to recruit the best local players here at Long Beach State," said Hegarty.
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