Long Beach State University
Cal Poly
Long Beach State Falls To Cal Poly
3/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
January 5, 2008
Long Beach, Calif. - Kaiti O'Brien finished two rebounds shy of a double-double, but the 49ers couldn't stop hot shooting from Cal Poly in a 76-59 defeat on Saturday. The 49ers return to action next week on the road against Pacific on Thursday.
Long Beach State held even early though the first half, but was unable to overcome 18 points from Lisa McBride and 17 points from Megan Harrison, as the Mustangs frontcourt duo hit from inside as well as outside, knocking down three of six threes between them. The 49ers were led by O'Brien's 12 points, and Tyresha Calhoun added 11 to give the Beach a pair of double-digit scorers.
Playing to a 14-14 tie over the first eight minutes, the teams traded baskets from there, including a three from Lisa McBride and a three-point play from O'Brien leading to a 21-21 score. Long Beach State finally took their first lead since being ahead 3-0 at 24-23 after a LaTorya Barbee three-point basket. Cal Poly answered after falling behind one more time at 26-25, running off seven unanswered points culminating with McBride's second three-pointer of the half to take a 32-26 lead.
Barbee scored four late points to help the 49ers stay even, but Cal Poly hit a pair of late free throws to take an 11-point lead, followed by a Williams layup for a 41-32 halftime tally.
Trailing by nine at the half, the 49ers were unable to pull any closer than that mark during the second half in the 17-point loss. Playing in only the second half, Lauren Bagley had nine points and six rebounds a block to lead the Beach effort.
After playing seven straight games at home, Long Beach State returns to the road for two conference games next week. The 49ers start with a Thursday night contest against Pacific before heading to UC Davis on Saturday. Both games will tip off at 7 p.m.
