Long Beach State Drops Season Opener at Gonzaga

Thursday, November 10

Spokane, Wash.

7:30 p.m.

Long Beach State University

0-1,0-0Big West

Gonzaga

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Long Beach St.

Gonzaga

Photo by: Chris Jones

11/10/2022 11:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Kristyna Jeskeova and Tori Harris lead the team with 12 points each in the loss

By: Lindy Zamora, Associate Athletic Communications Director

Box Score (PDF)

SPOKANE, Wash. – The Long Beach State Women's Basketball team opened up the 2022-23 campaign on the road and ultimately fell, 80-54, to Gonzaga on Thursday night at McCarthey Athletic Center.

The Beach (0-1) battled the Bulldogs (1-0) early in the first quarter exchanging leads six times before Gonzaga used a 10-0 run to break the game open (17-8). The Zags led the rest of the way as they held a 28-16 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

Long Beach State did a good job in the second quarter as the Beach matched the Zags point-for-point. Both teams went 4-for-10 from the field, while making two three-pointers, and connecting on 4-of-4 free throws as they each scored 14 points in the frame. However, the Bulldogs' early first quarter lead gave them a 42-30 lead at halftime.

In the second half, the Beach continued to play even with the Zags as Gonzaga tallied 12 points to Long Beach State's 11. Another solid quarter sent the game into the final 10 minutes of action with LBSU trailing by 13 (54-41).

Gonzaga managed to pull away for good from Long Beach State in the fourth quarter. The Zags shot 61.5-percent from the field connecting on 8-of-13 field goals, while the Beach made just 4-of-13 field goals and were outscored 26-13 as the Bulldogs won by a comfortable score of 80-54.

Junior guard Kristyna Jeskeova and redshirt senior guard Tori Harris led the Beach offensively with 12 points each. The dozen points by Jeskeova tied her career high. Harris also added three steals to lead the squad. Redshirt senior guard Ma'Qhi Berry contributed six points and five assists in the game.

Harris, along with Malia Bambrick and Courtney Murphy made their Long Beach State debuts as he trio combined for 21 points on the night.

Making their collegiate debut for the Beach were freshmen Kennan Ka, Abby Shoff, and Davai Matthews. Shoff and Matthews each finished with two points, while Shoff added two boards.

Yvonne Ejim led Gonzaga with 22 points as she connected on 9-of-13 field goals. She earned a double-double by adding 10 rebounds to go along with two steals and one assist. Sisters Kayleigh and Kaylynne Truong each tallied 13 points and six assists, while Kayleight posted four steals and Kaylynne added three.

Long Beach State will host La Sierra on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m., in the Beach's home opener at the Walter Pyramid. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.