COLLEGE BASKETBALL : NCAA WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT WEST REGIONAL : Long Beach Survives Scare by Cal, 87-84

Coach Joan Bonvicini didn’t think the Cal State Long Beach women’s basketball team would have as much trouble as it did Wednesday night.

The 49ers appeared to have an advantage in size, speed and talent over California, their first-round opponent in the NCAA tournament. But it didn’t look that way during Long Beach’s 87-84 victory at Long Beach.

“They are a vastly improved team and had everything to gain and nothing to lose,” Bonvincini said of Cal.

Apparently so.

Trailing, 85-84, with 10 seconds remaining in the game, Cal’s Carolyn Jenkins inbounded the ball to Teresa Palmisano, who drove to the right side of the basket and turned to shoot with four seconds left.

The 49ers’ Vjera Kaludjerovich was there to block the shot, her third on the night, which essentially sent Cal home a loser in its first NCAA appearance.

The sixth-seeded 49ers (26-8), who are 9-0 against Cal, will travel to Nacogdoches, Tex., for a second-round game Saturday against Stephen F. Austin.

“I just happened to be there, and thought it would be better even to foul her than to let her shoot,” Kaludjerovich said.

Cal Coach Gooch Foster wanted a foul called, but didn’t get it.

Down by four at the half, the 49ers, who had five players in double figures, got strong performances from several of their key players after the intermission.

Long Beach opened a 53-50 lead soon after the second-half tipoff, sparked by six of Angelique Lee’s points at the beginning of the half.

Lee finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds, seven of which came in the second half. Kari Parriott scored 15 of her 21 points in the second half.

Auli Goonroos had 20 points and eight rebounds to lead Cal (17-12).