From LBSU reports; pics by John Fajardo

New head coach Jody Wynn started a new era of 49er basketball with a loss—fortunately, it was an exhibition, and those don’t really count.  Hosting Cal Poly Pomona in the Gold Mine, site of a lot of historic LBSU wins, the 49ers dropped a 66-58 decision.

There’s a lot of positives to take from the exhibition, however; for one, the 49ers outrebounded the Broncos, 50-42.  Their biggest struggle was offensively, where they shot just 28%.  Why is that a positive?  Because, first-game rust or jitters aside, it’s safe to say that Lauren Sims and Karina Figueroa will improve over a combined 13-of-35.  Figueroa, in her first court time back off foot surgery, looked particularly rusty, missing all five of her three-point attempts.

Sims led The Beach with a game-high 20 points, making 4-of-8 3-pointers.  Figueroa ended up finishing in double figures with 11 points, while junior Ashley Bookman added seven points and 11 rebounds.

Cal Poly Pomona took an early 6-0 advantage, but the 49ers then went on a 14-7 run, capped by a Lindsey Beckner jumper, to go up 14-13 at the 9:00 mark. The Broncos went back on top with a pair of free throws and maintained the lead for the remainder of the half.

Long Beach State trailed by as many as 17 early in the second half, but after a 14-4 run that included a trio of 3-pointers from Sims, the 49ers closed the gap to seven (53-46) with 6:05 to play. The Broncos were able to hold off the late rally, however, as they pulled away with a 66-58 victory.

LBSU returns to action on Friday, Nov. 13, when it entertains Prairie View A&M in its season opener at the Walter Pyramid. Tip-off is set for 7pm.