While most students enjoyed the long and relaxing four-week winter break, the Long Beach State women’s basketball team cruised past its non-conference opponents but had a tougher time in its first four conference games.
LBSU (13-5, 2-2) wrapped up 2015 by winning its own tournament, the Beach Classic, and giving their coach a special milestone win.
After knocking off the University of Texas El Paso, 47-40, LBSU squeezed by University of Nevada Las Vegas, 67-63, on Dec. 20. Only six 49ers scored in a close game against the Rebels, but that didn’t matter because junior guard Raven Benton broke out with a career-high 31 points and sophomore forward Madison Montgomery dropped in 19.
Benton has picked up from where she left off last season before going down with a season-ending injury on Feb. 14, 2015. The Tacoma, Washington native is leading the 49ers by averaging 12.3 points a game.
LBSU then closed out its nonconference schedule by traveling to Denver and Seattle. The 49ers defeated Denver 48-41 on Dec. 28, giving head coach Jody Wynn win No. 100. LBSU closed out 2015 by traveling to Benton’s home state of Washington and beating Seattle University 69-57 on New Year’s Eve.
The 49ers went 4-0 against their nonconference opponents, but struggled in their Big West opener against Hawaii on Jan. 7 inside the Walter Pyramid. The physical and experienced Rainbow Wahine took advantage of the 49ers’ lack of size, out-rebounding them 52 to 29. LBSU also shot a dismal 34-percent from the field in the 67-55 defeat.
LBSU answered the big loss to Hawaii with its record-breaking performance against Cal State Fullerton. The 49ers set a new school and Big West Conference record for most three-pointers made in a game against the Titans on Jan. 9. The 49ers made 20 triples in an 82-61 win, shattering the record set against them last season in the conference tournament by UC Davis; The Aggies knocked down 17 threes in a 70-67 win in the quarterfinals.
The previous LBSU record for most three pointers in a game was 12, which came against Loyola Marymount in 2013.
The 49ers were brought back down to earth against UC Riverside the following game. LBSU fell victim to a slow start in that game and lost 78-60. A Highlander 23-6 run to close out the first half dug a hole that was too steep for the 49ers to climb out of.
LBSU did close out the break on a positive note, beating UC Irvine 71-65 on Saturday. The 49ers shoot around 66 percent from the freethrow line, but on Saturday LBSU made 24 of 27 from the charity stripe. Late in the fourth quarter, the 49ers made eight straight free throws, which sealed the win for the 49ers after the Anteaters had cut the lead to two points with 8:51 left in the game.
The 49ers continue their season on Wednesday night inside the Walter Pyramid when they host Fullerton at 7 p.m.