The Long Beach State women’s basketball team had to settle for a cameo appearance at the Women’s National Invitational Tournament after 56-49 to Utah in the opening round last night at the Walter Pryamid.
After a disappointing first-round exit from the Big West tournament last week, the 49ers earned their first postseason berth since 2000 and an opportunity to end their season on a higher note.
Despite the loss, ‘Niners head coach Jody Wynn said she was grateful for the chance to play in the WNIT. She said the chance to play in the postseason itself was enough to salvage the disappointment of losing in the first round of the Big West tournament to Cal State Fullerton last week.
“It was an awesome opportunity to play in the postseason for the first time in 13 years,” Wynn said. “We’re fortunate to have an administration to care deeply about women’s basketball to step up and this game. We lost, but we grew so much throughout the year and learned what we can do.”
Sophomore guard Alex Sanchez led The Beach with 13 points and six assists. Forward Ella Clark also pitched in 11 points on a 3-of-7 shooting from behind the 3-point line.
Sanchez’s turnaround layup with three minutes in put the 49ers up 6-5, but that ended up being their last lead of the night. The Utes went on to take a 10-6 lead a minute later after a Taryn Wicijowski hit a hook shot and Rachel Messer drained 3-pointer.
Despite trailing for the rest of the half, the ‘Niners kept within striking distance thanks to a defensive effort that held Utah to 43.5 percent field goal shooting. Sophomore guard Chantel Dooley sparked the 49ers’ defense from the outset with her quick feet and active hands, highlighted by an acrobatic high-flying blocked shot on a 3-point attempt by Wilson Cheyenne at the 7:27 mark.
However, The Beach had a struggle of its own offensively, as it shot just 38.1 percent from the field and committed eight turnovers.
The Utes extended their lead to 22-15 after Iwalani Rodrigues hit a 3-pointer at the 3:43 mark. The 49ers cut the deficit back down to four two minutes later with a Dooley layup and Ella Clark’s three, but Michelle Plouffe’s fade away jumper with a minute remaining gave Utah a 26-20 lead at halftime.
A three by Clark from the corner 10 seconds into the second half brought the ‘Niners back within three points, but their offensive struggle continued as the Utes steadily extended their lead.
After Clark’s 3-pointer, Utah went on a 11-5 run, capped by Plouffe’s midrange jumper for a 37-28 lead.
The 49ers started applying full court pressure on the Utes out of desperation. The sudden rise of defensive intensity worked briefly for the ‘Niners, as they compiled a 9-4 run to cut the deficit to just four points with seven minutes remaining.
Utah then responded with a 13-2 run to go up 54-39 with three minutes left in regulation, putting the game away.
LBSU managed only 38 percent shooting from the field for the game, while the Utes’ improved offense after the intermission helped them shoot 52.6 percent for the half and 47.6 percent overall.
The loss officially ends the 2012-13 season for the 49ers. Utah will face the winner of tonight’s San Diego-Hawaii game in Round 2 this weekend.