Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
UC Riverside
Return Of Figueroa, Jacob Not Enough For 49ers
3/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
January 19, 2008
Long Beach, Calif. - Long Beach State got a nice lift from the return of Karina Figueroa and Courtney Jacob, but didn't have an answer for UC Riverside's outside shooting in a 72-58 loss Saturday. The Highlanders hit nine three pointers, led by Roney Friend who was a perfect 3-3 from beyond the arc.
The Long Beach State storyline prominently featured the return of Jacob and Figueroa, returning for their first action since early December, and each had a solid game for the 49ers. Figueroa finished with 11 points and four assists, and Jacob had seven points and five rebounds. Ally Wade led the 49ers in scoring for the third straight game, finishing with 13 points and also led the team in rebounding with seven boards.
The 49ers worked their fundamentals early, as Figueroa made her presence felt immediately by distributing the ball for three pick-and-roll layups. Those early points were capped by an Ally Wade three which gave Long Beach State an 11-4 lead. UC Riverside picked up 7 unanswered points to tie the game.
The Highlanders moved out to a 15-11 lead after an Amber Cox three, part of three UC Riverside treys over the first eight minutes. Recovering, the 49ers ended a 4:14 scoring drought with Figueroa's first points, a jumper in the lane, which started a 49er run. Long Beach State tied the game back up at 17 after two Jacob free throws, and the second half of the prodigal 49ers, Jacob hit a three for a 20-17 lead, withstanding the UCR run.
Friend, who had a game-high 24 points completed a three-point play to give Riverside a six-point lead at 31-25, and that easily converted to a 34-27 halftime score.
49er guard LaTorya Barbee scored the first four points out of the break for Long Beach State, and the Beach tied the game back up at 38-38 after a textbook fast break from Wade and Tyresha Calhoun with 16 minutes to play. As was the case all night though, a UC Riverside three, this time from Seyram Gbewonyo allowed the Highlanders to hold on to the lead.
That three kicked off a 10-0 run for UC Riverside as the Highlanders continued to hit from the outside, extending their lead over the next two minutes. That lead would hold over the rest of the half, as UC Riverside continued to match the 49ers basket for basket, despite a better and balanced offensive attack from Long Beach State.
The 49ers play their travel partner next week, equaling another light week as their game with Cal State Northridge will be their only contest. That game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday in the Walter Pyramid.
