PCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : Women’s Roundup : CS Long Beach Advances to Semifinals, 77-50

As expected, No. 1-seeded Cal State Long Beach had little trouble in its PCAA women’s basketball tournament opener, defeating University of the Pacific, 77-50, Thursday night at Long Beach’s campus gym before 743 spectators.

The victory meant that the 49ers (23-5) will meet No. 4 San Diego State at 4 p.m. in today’s semifinals at the Forum. In the other game, No. 2 Nevada Las Vegas will play No. 3 Cal State Fullerton at 2 p.m.

Long Beach, ranked No. 8 in the nation, took a 39-25 halftime lead despite getting only two points from PCAA co-player of the year, guard Penny Toler. Toler, however, finished with 16 points, and Angie Lee had a game-high 23.

In another PCAA tournament game, San Diego State (21-9) defeated No. 5 Fresno State, 64-60. Center Chana Perry led the Aztecs with a game-high 24 points and 14 rebounds as San Diego State rallied from an eight-point deficit in the second half. Fresno State (16-12) was led by Leesa Agent’s 14 points.

Nevada Las Vegas (23-6) played without its leading scorer, Pauline Jordan, in the first half because Jordan injured her knee during pregame warmups when she slipped on a wet spot on the court. Hawaii (14-14), the No. 7 team, capitalized and took a 25-24 halftime lead. However, Jordan returned for the second half and had 21 points and 12 rebounds as UNLV defeated Hawaii, 62-56.

Cal State Fullerton (18-10) defeated UC Irvine, 48-47.