Long Beach State Holds On To Defeat Cal State Fullerton, 66-64

Saturday, January 9

Long Beach, Calif.

4:00 PM

Long Beach State University

7-1,6-0Big West

Cal State Fullerton

0-7,0-4Big West

Cal St. Fullerton

Long Beach St.

Photo by: John Fajardo

Long Beach State Holds On To Defeat Cal State Fullerton, 66-64

1/9/2021 7:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Justina King and Naomi Hunt combine for 40 points in the win

By: Lindy Zamora, Associate Athletic Communications Director

Box Score (PDF)

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State showed what it was made of on Saturday evening as the Beach battled it out with Cal State Fullerton and held on to win, 66-64, in the final seconds to improve to 6-0 in Big West Conference action.

The Beach improve to 7-1 on the year and are off to their best start in Big West play since the 2005-06 season when LBSU kicked off conference action with a 7-0 record. Meanwhile, Cal State Fullerton dropped to 0-7 overall and 0-4 in league play.

Leading the charge for the Beach were Justina King and Naomi Hunt who finished the game with 21 and 19 points, respectively. King tallied 12 of her points from the free throw line after drawing 10 fouls. Hunt's 19 points were accompanied by four rebounds.

Jasmine Hardy turned in a solid performance as well as she totaled seven points, five rebounds, and two steals. Ma'Qhi Berry led the Beach with four steals, while adding six points, and two boards.

Long Beach State and Cal State Fullerton went head-to-head for the second time in as many days and although the Beach led the Titans the majority of the game, the contest was close throughout. Long Beach State led by as many as eight points (32-24) in the first half before taking a 32-26 lead into halftime.

The Beach came out of the break and went on a 9-0 run, which was jump started by a three from King, to open up a 41-30 lead on the Titans in the third quarter. The Beach closed out the frame with a seven-point lead (50-43) into the final 10 minutes of regulation.

With Long Beach State leading by as many 14 points (57-43) in the fourth quarter, the game seemed to be leaning the Beach's way. However, Cal State Fullerton chipped away at LBSU's lead and made it a two-point game (66-64) with less than one minute remaining.

In the final 25 seconds of action, Cal State Fullerton drew a foul, and Amiee Book missed both free throws. However, the Titans grabbed the rebound to regain possession giving the visitors a chance to win the game. Long Beach State remained composed and put the pressure on and defended well as Bella Stratford missed a layup in the final seconds as the Beach held on to win the game and extend their winning streak to six.

Fullerton was led by Book's 21-point performance, while she added four rebounds, and three steals. Stratford recorded 13 points, four boards, and two assists, while Joy Krupa finished with eight rebounds to go along with five points, two points, and two steals.

Long Beach State will take on UC Irvine in a pair of non-conference matches on Friday, Jan. 15 and Saturday, Jan. 16 at the Bren Events Center. Both contests will tip-off at 4 p.m.