Long Beach State University Athletics
LBSU Women's Basketball Entertains Portland State on Monday
11/28/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 28, 2008
LONG BEACH -
Complete Release in PDF Format 
Portland State (3-1) at
Long Beach State (1-2)
Date: Monday, Dec. 1, 2008
Location: Walter Pyramid
Time: 7 p.m. PT
Series Record: PSU leads 3-2
Current Streak: PSU won 3
Live Audio: www.longbeachstate.com
THE RECORDS
Three days after picking up its first win of the young season, the Long Beach State women's basketball team dropped an 83-63 decision at Loyola Marymount to fall to 1-2 overall. Portland State, meanwhile, owns a 3-1 record after a 72-56 win against its cross-town rival Portland on Wednesday (Nov. 26).
THE SERIES
This will mark just the sixth meeting between Long Beach State and Portland State as the Vikings lead the all-time series by a 3-2 count. After claiming the first two contests, LBSU has dropped three in a row, including a narrow 73-71 decision in Portland, Ore., last year.
A GLANCE AT THE VIKINGS
Portland State is off to a 3-1 start under second-year head coach Sherri Murrell. The Vikings bounced back from an overtime loss at Syracuse (Nov. 22) by defeating their cross-town rival Portland, 72-56, Wednesday evening.
On the season, the Vikings are led by senior Kelsey Kahle, who is tops on the team in scoring (16.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.0 rpg). Also averaging double-figure points for PSU are Kelli Valentine (10.8 ppg) and Claire Faucher (10.3 ppg).
JACOB SHINES
Junior Courtney Jacob had a career night at Loyola Marymount, pouring in 30 points on a 10-for-18 shooting performance, including 6-for-12 from behind the arc, while also dishing out six assists. The last time a 49er scored 30 points in a game was when Glory Johnson accomplished the feat in 2003. The Naples, Fla., native also made her presence felt on the boards, pulling down nine rebounds.
Just three nights earlier, Jacob had recorded her second career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds in the 49ers' 83-59 win vs. San Jose State. She also tied her career high with four blocks against the Spartans. On the young season, Jacob leads The Beach with 19.7 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
FIELDS ON THE RISE
Redshirt junior Whitney Fields (Miami, Fla.) has already made an impact in just her first three games with the 49ers. The transfer from Arizona is averaging 12.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per contest. Fields has reached double figures in scoring in all three games and notched her first career double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds at LMU.
WALTON IN THE MIX
Due to injuries to starting guards Karina Figueroa and LaTorya Barbee, freshman Adelle Walton stepped into a starting role in just her second collegiate game. The San Diego, Calif., native has definitely made the most of the opportunity as she is averaging 8.0 points per game and leads the 49ers with 4.7 assists per contest.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE
The 49ers have their work cut out for them with a tough non-conference schedule ahead. After playing three of its first four games in the friendly confines of the Walter Pyramid, LBSU will hit the road for two consecutive weekends, facing perhaps its biggest challenge of the season in early December. The Beach opens a four-game road swing at Washington State (Dec. 5), before making its way to Idaho two days later. The Black and Gold will then travel to Big 12 foe Nebraska on Dec. 12, followed by a visit to Arizona. The Cornhuskers have made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the second round last season.
Long Beach State returns home to host Brigham Young and New Mexico State (Dec. 20 & 22), and will then hit the road for its final tune-up before conference play at 2008 Western Athletic Conference champion Fresno State (Dec. 29).
UP NEXT
Long Beach State kicks off a four-game road swing next weekend when it heads to Washington State on Friday, Dec. 5, for a 7 p.m. (PST) non-conference game. The 49ers will then make their way to Idaho two days later for a noon showdown with the Vandals.
