In an initiative to increase awareness and attendance at women’s college basketball games thoughout the country, Long Beach State will participate in the NCAA Pack the House Challenge on Thursday.
The 49ers (3-10, 0-2 Big West Conference) will host the Pacific Tigers (7-6, 1-0 Big West) at the Walter Pyramid. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.
Each school selects a designated game for the challenge and one member from each conference will be named the winner, which is based on marketing plans and the largest percentage increase from last season’s previous high attendance.
LBSU, which is 14-6 all-time in Big West home openers, is coming off a 74-66 loss at Cal Poly on Sunday.
Freshman Adelle Walton led the ‘Niners with a career-high 16 points and shot 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Junior Whitney Fields added her second consecutive double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Melanie Lisnock chipped in with a season-high 11 points.
The Tigers, paced by Amber Simmons’ 20.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.2 blocks per game, defeated CS Northridge in their Big West opener but lost at Saint Mary’s, 71-70, on Sunday. Pacific is seeking its first road victory of the season (0-4 away record).
On Saturday, the 49ers will play host UC Davis at the Walter Pyramid at 5 p.m.