Long Beach State University
UC Santa Barbara
Streak Comes To An End In Santa Barbara 72-69
3/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
March 8, 2008
Santa Barbara, Calif. - Kat Suderman knocked down two free throws in the closing seconds, and Long Beach State was unable to tie the ballgame in the closing seconds on the road at UC Santa Barbara in 72-69 loss. Karina Figueroa scored 15 points to lead Long Beach State, including a three to pull Long Beach State within one in the final minute.
A slow start for both teams favored the 49ers. Jessica Wilson hit a three pointer on Santa Barbara's first trip down the floor, but the Gauchos would not get another field goal over the next five minutes. Long Beach State would take the lead at 7-5 after a Courtney Jacob three, scoring her first three of nine first half points, a team high.
Starting to improve their shooting, Long Beach State took a 15-9 lead at 9:48 with a Valeriya Musina drive, and took a ten-point lead at 22-12. The pace of the game really picked up then, as UC Santa Barbara started to run following the made basket press defense from Long Beach State. Perfectly content with the tempo, the 49ers shot 50% in the first half on the way to taking a 39-33 lead.
A key to that lead was the 49ers three-point shooting, as Long Beach State was 5-9 from behind the arc in the first half, as both Calhoun and Figueroa were a perfect two-of-two.
A Musina three and a pair of low-post baskets helped the 49ers keep a six-point edge over the opening minutes, as the frenetic pace of the first-half continued. Over the first five minutes, Long Beach State took a 58-50 lead, leading 16-14 in second half points
Finally cooling off, a three from Lauren Pederson made the score 58-53 with just over 12 to play, as UC Santa Barbara made their way back into the game. The Gauchos would take their first lead since the first half with 6:21 to go after a Whitney Warren basket. Long Beach State came right back with a Figueroa three to move back on top 64-62, but UCSB would move ahead for good at 68-66 following a Wilson drive with 1:50 to play.
Warren knocked down a pair of free throws to give UC Santa Barbara their largest lead of the game, four points with just 35 seconds to play. Figueroa came down the floor and hit a three over the top of Wilson to cut the lead to one with 17.8 seconds. Forced to foul, Suderman hit two free throws on the opposite end, and Long Beach State wasn't able to take final shot at the other end.
Long Beach State continues play next week in the postseason, as the 49ers previously clinched a spot in the tournament. The 49ers exact seed will be determined by play later in the day.
