Feb. 18, 2007
LONG BEACH, CA - Long Beach State's Karina Figueroa tied a career high with 29 points and the 49ers overcame an 11-point halftime deficit to hand visiting Cal State Fullerton a 73-59 defeat on Saturday afternoon.
The loss snaps the Titans' three-game winning streak as they fell to 13-13 overall and 7-5 in Big West play. Long Beach State improved to 6-21 overall and 2-10 in league action.
Junior Dayana Frias led the Titans with 18 points and was joined in double figures by senior Charlee Underwood (11 points) and sophomore Toni Thomas, who tallied her second consecutive double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
After trailing by five at the break, Long Beach State opened the second half with a 12-3 run in the first eight minutes to take a 45-39 advantage.
Fullerton responded with a lay-up by Andrea Adams at 11:30 to cut the score to 45-42. With 6:56 remaining in the game, Figueroa's three pointer gave the 49ers 58-48 advantage.
Fullerton came within five with a Frias' three pointer at the 3:20 mark, but the 49ers were able to pull away for good as Ally Wade hit a three pointer to give as the 49ers the last nine points.
The Titans started the contest strong as they went on a 10-0 run before Figueroa scored the 49ers' first points on the board at the 16:19 mark.
Long Beach State battled back with a Calhoun jumper at 7:15 to bring the 49ers to within one, but the Titans pulled away for the next three minutes as Underwood hit a three pointer, giving Fullerton a 31-24 advantage.
Long Beach State didn't fade, however, as Lauren Sims' layup at 3:45 started a 7-0 run and the 49ers were able to tie the score at 31 with Figueroa's two free throws with 21 seconds left.
Cal State Fullerton closes out Big West Conference play next weekend as the Titans travel to UC Santa Barbara (Feb. 22) and Cal Poly (Feb. 24).