The Long Beach State women’s basketball team defeated Seattle University 85-73 in its season opener Friday night at the Walter Pyramid.
“It feels good to just get out on the court and compete against another team,” head coach Jody Wynn said. “I’m really pleased with our effort. I think our consistency wasn’t there the entire game, but our effort was. Everybody played, everybody contributed.”
Wynn made it a point to see as much of her roster in action, with nine players amassing double-digit minutes. Five players reached double-digit points.
Junior center Devin Hudson and junior guard Chantel Dooley, who both redshirted last year due to injury, each saw their first in-game action in over a year.
Dooley started the game and contributed right away. In the first play of the game, she stole the ball and knocked down both free throws after being fouled on a layup attempt.
“I teared up in the very first play of the game,” Wynn said. “Just to see what she’s gone through – six surgeries and two different redshirt years – and [she] easily could’ve thrown the towel in. To me, that just shows the heart and the character of not only Chantel, but all the girls that battle back from injuries.”
Dooley played 21 minutes and finished with 12 points, seven rebounds and two steals.
“Chantel brings a lot of defensive energy, so it just makes it that much easier when you have that one defensive presence just after it every time,” Hudson said. “It lifts everyone else up to [where] I see Chantel going hard, so everyone else goes harder, and I felt like it lifted us up this game.”
Hudson contributed 13 points in 13 minutes, matching the team-high points with sophomore Madison Montgomery.
“I’ve been out for 19 months,” Hudson said. “But the thing that felt best was just being back out there with my team. Honestly, I was okay with playing 13 minutes because I only practiced for a week.”
Ten 49ers scored in the first half, and Wynn credits the minute-distribution to the depth and versatility on her team. LBSU showed off its depth with its bench, which outscored Seattle’s 34-27. LBSU also dominated the paint, outscoring Seattle 50-38.
Senior Hallie Meneses, starting at point guard, finished with 11 points and eight assists and matched the game-high with four steals.
“Hallie turned the ball over a little too much in the second half,” Wynn said. “But overall, her point guard play was really good, really strong.”
Senior guard Alex Sanchez contributed 12 points, while sophomore guard Raven Benton had a game-high 14 rebounds.
The 49ers travel to San Diego State University to face the Aztecs at 2 p.m. on Sunday, and then come home on Thursday to take on USC at 4:30 p.m.