After a dismal shooting performance, the Long Beach State women’s basketball team dropped its first home game of the season by losing 66-52 against San Francisco on Tuesday night inside the Walter Pyramid.
San Francisco (8-2) showed its intensity from the tip-off to the last minute of the fourth quarter. Although LBSU (7-2) came into the game unbeaten at home, the Dons simply outhustled and pushed the 49ers around.
“They came out and socked us in the mouth,” LBSU head coach Jody Wynn said. “They [basically] said, ‘What are you going to do about it, Long Beach?’”
The 49ers had no answer for the Dons, who have now won their last six games. In addition, LBSU had a rough time knocking down shots, completing only 17 out of their 56 field goal attempts.
“We couldn’t get an open look or make an open shot and lost a lot of confidence along the way,” Wynn said.
The Dons meanwhile had a remarkable shooting night, as their junior guard Rachel Howard completed seven of her 10 attempts from behind the three-point line.
Howard’s 26 points was a game-high and her seven three pointers tied the school’s all-time record for most in a single game.
“It feels awesome,” Howard said. “It’s something as a team, we always stress, we all work on the three. Personally, I work on it a ton.”
Usually, the 49ers signature full-court press traps opponents and forces them to turn the ball over. But, on Tuesday night the trap worked against LBSU as many Dons were left wide-open from three and made the 49ers pay.
“The kid caught fire and we lost her a few times from the weak sides,” Wynn said. “She was able to knock down shots and it gave her confidence.”
San Francisco made more than half of their three point attempts, completing 12 of 21 attempts. For Howard, all she was worried about was getting a shot off without hesitation.
“[Dons head coach Jennifer Azzi] always talks about don’t overthink if you’re open, shoot the ball,” Howard said. “That’s what I was doing. I know I’m the team’s three point shooter; that’s a duty of mine.”
In the first period, the Dons limited LBSU’s offense to 10 points.
“Our team just played together and played hard,” Azzie said. “And I give our players all the credit, for having a whole lot of defensive intensity.”
The only glimpse of offensive rhythm for the 49ers came at the beginning of the second quarter. Down 17-15, Benton pulled up from the wing and drained a three pointer, which gave LBSU a 18-17 lead. It would be their last lead of the game.
Benton started off the second half by draining a three pointer, but the 49ers’ offensive drought continued. LBSU completed 10 of its last 29 shot attempts to end the game.
“They were strong; physically and mentally tough kids,” Wynn said. “We can certainly learn a lot from this game.”
LBSU will need to rebound quickly, they face off against USC next inside the Galen Center on Sunday at 4 p.m.