49ers Win Two Against Santa Barbara, Cal Poly

The Long Beach State women’s basketball team used a strong defensive effort to outlast the visiting Santa Barbra Gauchos 46-34 Thursday night in Big West Conference play.  The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the 49ers.

Senior forward Tipsea Moorer said that the focus all week in practice was on defense, especially, as she said “we were outscored in our past two games (against Davis and Pacific).”

Long Beach’s defense held the Gauchos to only 14 points in the first half on 20.7% shooting, and 27.8% for the game. 

“Going into the game, we know what they are capable of doing offensively,” 49er head coach Jody Wynn said.  “Although down this year, they still have very good players.”

Moorer led the way for the Beach scoring a game-high 14 points with four rebounds and a steal. Devin Hudson tallied six points, 10 rebounds three assists and two blocks, while Alex Sanchez added eight points, seven rebounds two assists and a steal.

Long Beach would jump out to a 6-0 lead.  The Gauchos would not dent the scoreboard until the 15:12 into the first half.  Santa Barbra would eventually tie the game 8-8 at the 10:06 mark.  Long beach would the go on a 16-6 run to close out the half to take a 24-14 halftime lead.

 “Devin was inserted in the line up just last week with very little experience under her belt,” Wynn said, “and she immediately creates a different presence.  Since she is only a freshman, she can only get better and better.”

 Nicole Nesbit led the way for the Gauchos with 11 points, two rebounds and an assist, while Destini Mason added seven points and four rebounds, as the Gauchos couldn’t get anything going offensively.

Santa Barbra (7-9, 2-3 BWC), however, wouldn’t go down easily as it was able to muster 20 points in the second half.  They would finish the game with an 8-4 run to make the game more respectable, but the outcome has long been decided.

“It was a complete team effort,” Wynn said.  “This was definitely our best game defensively.  I’m very pleased with the focus and the leadership that was transferred onto the court.”

The 49ers would continue its winning ways, as they outlasted the Cal Poly Broncos 74-67 Saturday afternoon.

 Moorer once again led the way for the Beach, going 6 of 11 for 16 points, while Hudson and Mary Ochiltree tallied 11 points apiece.

Long Beach hits the road for three, beginning next Saturday as they visit the Cal State Fullerton Titans, tipoff is at 3pm.

BOX SCORE

LONG BEACH STATE (46) – Tipesa Moorer (14), Alex Sanchez (8), Devin Hudson (6), Sigrid Skorpen (5), Hallie Meneses (3), Jhakia McDonald (3), Lauren Spargo (3), Bianka Balthazar (2), Chantel Dooley (2)

UC SANTA BARBARA (34) – Nicole Nesbit (11), Destini Mason (7), Kristen Tilleman (5), Melissa Zornig (5), Emilie Johnson (4), Madeline Campbell (2)