Report by LBSU
The Long Beach State women’s basketball team rallied from a 20-point deficit, but ultimately ran out of time as it fell to Cal State Bakersfield, 72-68, in non-conference action Saturday afternoon at the Walter Pyramid.
The 49ers (7-12) dominated the boards, 49-33, and held a 24-8 advantage on the offensive glass.
LBSU was unable to overcome the hot shooting of the Roadrunners, however, as the visitors posted a 48.3 field goal percentage and went 12-of-27 from 3-point range.
Senior Karina Figueroa led The Beach with a game-high 22 points and seven assists. Classmate Lindsey Beckner added a career-high 11 points and nine rebounds, while senior Ally Wade pulled down a career-best 14 boards. Sophomore Tipesa Moorer chipped in 10 points.
Cal State Bakersfield (12-9) jumped out to an early 5-0 lead before Figueroa got The Beach on the board at the 17:45 mark. The 49ers proceeded to go an 8-2 run, capped by a Beckner jumper, to go up 10-7.
The Roadrunners quickly responded with back-to-back 3-pointers to regain the advantage. CSUB wouldn’t relinquish that lead as it went up by as many as 11 before Beckner completed a three-point play to cut the deficit to 32-24 with 1:02 on the clock.
Phynique Allen was able to hit a jumper with 35 seconds remaining in the first half to give Cal State Bakersfield a 10-point cushion at intermission.
CSUB built a 20-point lead early in the second half after a layup by Allen at the 14:45 mark. The 49ers slowly started to chip away late in the period as an 18-3 spurt, capped by a pair of free throws from Melanie Lisnock, brought them within four at 66-62 with 1:52 remaining.
That was the closest The Beach would get, however, as the Roadrunners hit four free throws down the stretch to hang on for the 72-68 victory.
Allen led five players in double figures for CS Bakersfield with 17 points, while Katie Williams finished with a double-double, netting 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Long Beach State resumes Big West Conference action on Thursday, Jan. 28, when it plays host to Cal State Northridge at 7 p.m. in its lone game next week.