UC Irvine Stumbles, Falls to Long Beach State

Less than 48 hours after turning in one of its best performances in recent memory, the UC Irvine women’s basketball team put together one of this season’s worst.

Sunday in front of 225 in the Bren Center, the Anteaters staggered, stumbled and eventually lost to Long Beach State, 62-54. The team was coming off a rousing 79-61 victory Friday over then first-place UC Santa Barbara to move into third place in the Big West.

Irvine (14-10, 11-6 in the Big West) committed seven turnovers in the first five minutes, did not score until more than four minutes had elapsed and fell behind, 11-2. They spent the rest of the afternoon trying to get back into the game.

“We didn’t start off with any intensity, evidenced by the fact that three of our starters had two fouls each in the first few minutes,” Irvine Coach Colleen Matsuhara said. “We talked before the game about how good teams are able to string together good games back-to-back. But we didn’t seem emotionally or mentally ready to play and we just didn’t execute.”

Irvine rallied to take a one-point lead with 7 minutes 47 seconds left in the first half, but lapsed into a state of lethargy and Long Beach (13-11, 10-6) led at halftime by nine, 31-22.

The Anteaters pulled to within three points twice late in the second half, but the 49ers made 11 of 14 free throws in the final 3:38 to hang onto the victory.

“Our defense was very aggressive today and I think that was a key factor,” Long Beach Coach Glenn McDonald said. “It was a very physical game, but we expected that.”

Long Beach guard Sarah Davis missed part of the first half with a bloody nose and 49er center Ja’net Davis suffered a cut lip and three Anteater starters fouled out. In the end, the 49ers’ scrambling defense and Irvine’s poor ballhandling added up to 30 Anteater turnovers and an Irvine loss.

“We had way too many turnovers and they came from every position,” Matsuhara said. “Four of our starters committed four or more turnovers.”

The 49ers had trouble taking care of the ball too, but when they managed to get it inside, they often came away with points. Forwards Melissa Gower and Kim Barfield combined to make 13 of 25 shots for 32 points. And point guard Akia Hardy scored 16 points, connecting on nine of 12 free throws, seven of them coming in the final 3 1/2 minutes.

Irvine had only one player in double figures. Guard Tamera Thomas had 10 points.