Women’s Basketball Drops Third Seed UC Riverside In Overtime To Continue Postseason Run

Thursday, March 14

Henderson, Nev.

12:00 PM

Long Beach State University

15-17,8-12Big West

(3) UC Riverside

18-13,13-7Big West

OT 1

Long Beach St.

UC Riverside

Photo by: John Fajardo

Women’s Basketball Drops Third Seed UC Riverside In Overtime To Continue Postseason Run

3/14/2024 2:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score UC Riverside Box Score Photo Gallery

Patricia Chung scored 20 points and Jada Crawshaw had 17 to lead the way for the Beach Thursday.

By: Roger Kirk, Associate Athletics Director, Communications & Broadcast

HENDERSON, Nev. – Long Beach State got off to another hot start, opening up the game with a 21-6 lead and battling through a back-and-forth second half to advance to the Big West Championship semifinals with an 83-75 overtime win over the three seed, UC Riverside.

                Long Beach State (15-17) got rolling with two quick baskets from Savannah Tucker, including a three to take a quick 9-2 lead in the opening minutes, and would carry that momentum in a 19-4 run to open the game capped by a layup from Jada Crawshaw.

                UC Riverside (18-13) scored the final four points of the first quarter to stall the momentum for the Beach and went on a run to start the second quarter. Long Beach State went 0-for-6 from three in the third, and that, coupled with a hot shooting spurt from Makayla Jackson helped the Highlanders pull back into the contest. A Jackson basket put UCR in front for the first time at 27-26 with just under four minutes to play, and the Highlanders held a 33-31 lead at halftime.

                Patricia Chung opened up the second half with a three to put the Beach back in front, and a contest befitting the postseason was on as neither team would lead by more than five for the rest of regulation. Chung scored 8 of her team-high 20 in the third, and the teams headed to the fourth tied at 53-53.

                Tied at 58-58, UC Riverside got what appeared to be a momentum shifting play with a four-point play from Jackson. The Beach didn't panic though, quickly finding Crawshaw for a paint touch and a basket. A Webster three had the Highlanders up five with 2:11 to play, but Long Beach State scored on a floater from Chung on the next possession, and then Crawshaw buried a three with 1:14 remaining to tie the game at 67-67.

                Webster and Crawshaw were equal for a pair of clutch inside baskets to keep the score tied inside of the final minute. The Highlanders went back to Webster to try and seal the win, but a steal from Sydney Woodley sent the game into overtime.

                In the extra time, Long Beach State was in complete control. Chung opened up the scoring with a quick transition basket, and then after another defensive stop, Woodley found Tucker for an open three. Chung then found Woodley to return the opportunity for the Beach in the next possession, and the Beach had an 8-point lead in overtime before the Highlanders scored. The Beach closed out the contest from the free throw line to finish off the win to advance again.

                Crawshaw matched her career-high with her 19 points in the victory, while Woodley was a point shy of a double-double with 9 points, 10 rebounds and 5 steals in an all-around effort. Tucker joined Chung and Crawshaw in double-figures with 13 points.

                Long Beach State will face second-seeded UC Irvine in the semifinals on Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. with live coverage on ESPN+.