PCAA Women’s Tournament : SDSU Pulls Away From Irvine

The San Diego State women’s basketball team scored the first eight points of the second half and pulled away from UC Irvine on their way to a 73-56 victory, which gives San Diego a berth opposite Cal State Long Beach in today’s semifinals.

Irvine (14-14) was leading, 20-15, in the first half when Anteater forward Cheri Graham picked up her third foul and left the game with 7:50 remaining.

With the 6-3 senior on the bench, the Aztecs outscored Irvine, 16-6, eight of those points by 6-3 freshman forward Brooke Meadows, to close the half with a 31-26 lead

Jessica Haynes then opened the second half with two straight baskets, followed by Dee Dee Duncan’s jumper and Pat Rice’s layup, and the Aztecs (14-16) had a 39-26 lead.

Irvine made one final run at San Diego, scoring eight straight points, six of them by 6-6 center Natalie Crawford, to cut it to 43-37 with 12:37 to play.

But, minutes later, the Aztecs ran off nine straight points, five by Shelda Arceneaux, to take an insurmountable 61-44 lead with 6:28 left.

Cal State Long Beach 94, UC Santa Barbara 63--Center Cindy Brown of Cal State Long Beach, scored 14 points in 21 minutes to help the 49ers gain the victory over Santa Barbara. Forward Carol Brandt led the seventh-ranked 49ers (27-3) with 20 points.

Cal State Fullerton 76, Hawaii 69--Titan forward Robin Holmes scored a tournament-record 37 points to help Fullerton (11-17) hold off the Rainbows (14-14) and advance to the semifinals against Nevada Las Vegas.

Nevada Las Vegas 77, Pacific 70--The Rebels beat the Tigers despite shooting only 43% from the field (30 of 69) and committing 30 turnovers.