The women’s basketball team started Thanksgiving week with wins against Alaska Anchorage and Boise State for the GCI Great Alaska Shootout title, and ended with a victory by handing Portland State its fifth consecutive loss in Oregon.
The 49ers (5-1) edged Portland State (0-5) in a 62-58 win on Saturday, bringing home Long Beach State’s third straight win of the season.
Working through a tough shooting game with 34.4 percent from the field and 2-16 from behind the arc, the 49ers were able to force 21 PSU turnovers while carrying out a season-low, 13 turnovers. LBSU also outrebounded the Vikings 44-40.
The Beach opened strong with a 4-0 lead before the Vikings made their first points almost four minutes into the game. LBSU was able to tie the game after the Vikings stole the lead at 6-4, but 13 unanswered points put PSU up 19-6 with 9:21 left.
Sophomore Raven Benton halted the five-minute scoring absence with a three-point play that prompted a 10-1 run to put The Beach within four at 20-16. PSU went up 11 points, but the 49ers closed the first half with the quarter’s final seven points for another four-point deficit at 31-27.
The 49ers came out of the locker room and pushed an 11-2 run to open the second half. A layup from junior Devin Hudson and senior Lauren Spargo’s three-pointer helped give back the 49ers’ lead at 38-33.
The showdown went back and forth, with both teams taking turns capturing the advantage. But with 26.4 seconds left to play, the 49ers pulled ahead 60-56. The Vikings were able to make it a two-point game, but 49er sophomore Anna Kim sank two free throws for the victory.
PSU’s Emily Eason led her team with a game-high 19 points, while Alicia Carline finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Benton paced LBSU with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Spargo pitched in 13 points, while Kim contributed four steals and a career-high seven assists.
Before the 49ers traveled to Oregon, they defeated Boise State (4-2) 68-50 and then Alaska Anchorage (5-0) 69-60 for the tournament crown.
LBSU will end its four-game road swing on Wednesday when it faces Pepperdine at 7 p.m. in Malibu.