Long Beach Women Beat Louisiana Tech, 81-76

Kirsten Cummings, who made just one of seven shots in the first half, made four straight jump shots in the final three minutes to lead the third-ranked Cal State Long Beach women’s basketball team to Thursday’s Game an 81-76 win over fourth-ranked Louisiana Tech Thursday night in front of a capacity crowd of 2,237 in the 49ers’ gym.

Cummings made all eight of her second-half shots and finished with 18 points, while center Cindy Brown was Long Beach’s leading scorer with 21 points, including 15 in the second half.

Long Beach is 15-1, Tech 18-1.

Long Beach held a comfortable lead before the Lady Techsters outscored them 13-5 during a five-minute stretch to close to within two at 72-70 with 2:35 left.

But then Cummings went to work.

“That was one of Kirsten’s best performances under pressure,” Long Beach Coach Joan Bonvicini said. “She kept her composure and hit some crucial jumpers. Our three leading scorers hardly had any points in the first half, but Cummings, Brown and (Jackie) White came alive in the second.”

The trio had combined for 14 points in the first half but, by game’s end, that figure was up to 53. White scored 14 points, as did guard Missy Rand, who carried the 49ers’ with her 12 points in the first half.