From LBSU reports
Just a few minutes before the 49er men began their game in the ‘Myd against Pacific that would ultimately lead to a thrilling victory for the Beach, the women’s basketball team lost a heartbreakingly close game up in Stockton on the Tigers’ home court. Both games were extended into double overtime, but it seems two 45 minutes victories against the same team in one night was too much to hope for. Despite four Long Beach State players scoring double figures in the Alex G. Spanos Center, the women ultimately dropped the match 98-92.
Junior Whitney Fields, who finished the game with 21 points and 15 rebounds, fouled out in the first overtime period, and the 49ers were unable to match the Tigers in the final five minutes—LBSU was scoreless in the last 1:54, allowing Pacific to pull away with the victory.
Long Beach State (now 2-8 in the Big West and 5-17 overall) shot 41.3 percent from the field, but the Tigers were able to top that performance with a 44.7 field goal percentage. Pacific also owned a 53-46 advantage on the boards.
In addition to Fields’ seventh double-double of the season, sophomore LaTorya Barbee scored a career-high 22 points and lead the Beach with her five assists. Junior Lauren Sims posted her second consecutive 21-point game, while freshman Adelle Walton chipped in 16 points and five helpers.
The two teams went back and forth early in the first half, with four lead changes in the opening three minutes of action. Long Beach State then took a 9-7 advantage on a Sims 3-pointer and stayed on top, until the Tigers went on a 9-2 run to go up 23-22 with 8:58 left to play in the first period. The home team kept the momentum, but the 49ers stayed close as Barbee found O’Brien on an inbounds pass for a layup with eight seconds on the clock, cutting the deficit to 43-38 at the break.
UOP (6-4 in conference, 12-10 over all) opened the second half on a 13-5 spurt to take their largest lead of the game at 56-43 with 14:40 remaining. LBSU slowly chipped away, however, coming back from a five-point deficit with 1:24 to play in regulation to even the score and send the game into overtime. Walton converted a three-point play with 42 seconds on the clock before Barbee sank a pair of free throws to tie it up at 70-70.
The Beach led by as many as five in the first extra session, but Gretchen Tiernan hit a 3-pointer for the Tigers with the clock winding down to force another overtime period.
Amber Simmons led Pacific with a game-high 33 points and 10 rebounds. Amy VanHollebeke added 21 points, while Tiernan finished with 14.
Long Beach State will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 11, back in the ‘Myd for a crucial Big West match-up against Cal State Northridge. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.