The Long Beach State women’s basketball team followed up one of its best performances all year with one of their worst, falling to No. 23 Florida State 72-57 in the final game of the Beach Classic on Saturday night.
On Friday, the 49ers shot 45.2 percent from the field, saw points scored from all but three players in the first half, and had five players finish in double figures.
On Saturday, the ‘Niners shot just 26.7 percent from the field, saw points scored by just three LBSU players in the first half, and only two players finished in double figures.
“[Florida State] is ranked for a reason,” junior guard Alex Sanchez said. “They play defense really well and their length and athleticism kinda got to us.”
The 49ers struggled to put points on the board early, scoring just 19 points in the first half; the second lowest offensive output since their first half of the season against another ranked team in Cal. Of those 19 points, 17 were from guards Hallie Meneses and Sanchez. Both players earning All-Tournament honors for their performances this weekend.
But despite the poor first half, the Seminoles allowed the 49ers to remain in this game well into the second half when the 49ers were finally able to make back-to-back three’s.
“Alex [Sanchez] and Hallie [Meneses] were able to knock down some open shots to give us some energy,” head coach Jody Wynn said. “You knock down an open shot and you get confidence. You have a little more pep in your step. The press is more effective, our rotations are a little faster.”
With 15:55 left in regulation, the 49ers put together an 11-1 run on the shoulders of Sanchez and Meneses, closing the Florida State lead to 10. But the Seminoles would quickly establish a run of its own to rebuild the 20-point lead they had early in the second period.
The Seminoles were led by Tournament MVP and All-Tournament team selection Natasha Howard registered 16 points and a season-high 15 rebounds. The 6-foot-3 Howard blocked two shots and had two steals, with numerous shots being altered or even prevented given her incredible length and athleticism.
“Natasha Howard’s a finisher that gives them second half opportunities pretty much every time down the court and she’s extremely athletic,” Wynn said. “[Howard] works hard every possession and she’s hungry for the ball offensively and defensively.”
Yashira Delgado was the other All-Tournament selection as she scored 14 points to go along with eight assists in 36 minutes of action.
If it weren’t for the play of Meneses and Sanchez, this game could have been a lot uglier given the 0-6 performance from Raven Benton who had scored in double-figures in every game except the first two. Junior’s Ella Clark and Lauren Spargo were also a combined 0-14 from the floor.
After the busiest segment in the schedule they’ll have all year, the 49ers will face Southern California a week from today at the Galen Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
All-Tournament Team:
MVP: Natasha Howard (Florida State)
Yashira Delgado (Florida State)
Kendall Kenyon (Pacific)
Alex Sanchez (Long Beach State)
Hallie Meneses (Long Beach State)
Olivia Healy (Richmond)
