SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Long Beach State Women’s Basketball showed fight on the road Saturday afternoon but couldn’t recover from a slow start and a late Cal Poly push, falling 63-49 at the Mott Athletics Center.
The Beach had trouble finding an offensive rhythm early, managing just four points on 2-of-14 shooting in the opening quarter to trail 12-4. Things picked up in the second period, as improved ball movement and perimeter shooting helped LBSU settle in and trim the deficit to eight at halftime, 26-18.
JaQuoia Jones-Brown anchored the effort for Long Beach State, posting 13 points, 11 rebounds, and five steals while logging nearly 40 minutes. The double-double marked her fourth of the season. Christy Reynoso gave the Beach a spark off the bench, knocking down four three-pointers and finishing with 12 points. Long Beach State shot 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, with three-pointers accounting for more than half of their total scoring.
The Beach continued to chip away after halftime, outscoring Cal Poly 18-16 in the third quarter and pulling within six late in the period. The Mustangs responded down the stretch, asserting themselves in the paint and pulling away in the fourth quarter with a 21-13 advantage.
The Beach return to the Pyramid to host UC Irvine on Thursday, January 8. Tip off is scheduled for 6pm.