Report by LBSU

The Long Beach State women’s basketball team (9-13, 5-4 BWC) welcomes Big West Conference-leading Cal Poly to the Walter Pyramid on Thursday, Feb. 11, for a 7 p.m. showdown.

The 49ers are right back in action on Saturday (Feb. 13) when they play host to UC Santa Barbara at 4 p.m.

Cal Poly (15-7, 8-2 BWC) is coming off a pair of victories last week as it defeated UC Davis (69-48) and Pacific (99-66) to take sole possession of first place in the Big West. Kristina Santiago has paced the Mustangs with a conference-best 19.1 points and 8.1 rebounds per game. Rachel Clancy is Cal Poly’s second-leading scorer at 12.0 ppg.

UC Santa Barbara (8-14, 5-5 BWC) split its two games last week, defeating Pacific, 71-34, before falling to UC Davis, 62-54. Emilie Johnson leads the Gauchos with 12.9 points per game. Mekia Valentine (12.0 ppg) and Meagan Williams (10.7 ppg) are also averaging double figures, while Valentine is tops on the team with 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per outing.

The Beach leads in its all-time series with Cal Poly, 34-14, but the Mustangs have won the last three meetings. CP defeated LBSU, 86-63, in the most recent outing on Jan. 16 at Mott Gym. The 49ers are 18-4 when playing Cal Poly at home.

Long Beach State trails in its series with UC Santa Barbara, 41-40. The Beach snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Gauchos with a 78-63 victory at The Thunderdome on Jan. 14. The 49ers are 22-18 when playing UCSB at home.

The 49ers have designated Saturday’s game against UCSB as their Pink Zone Night. Fifty percent of game-day ticket purchases will be donated to the Army of Women for Breast Cancer Research. Fans are also encouraged to wear pink to the game.