StingRays Stuff San Jose, 93-67

The Long Beach StingRays, largely led by players cast adrift, registered one of the most impressive victories of the young ABL season, a 93-67 rout of the San Jose Lasers.

Before 2,926 at San Jose State Event Center, Long Beach put together two solid halves for the first time this season.

Yolanda Griffith, as usual, backup center Cass Bauer and guard Beverly Williams (six assists) led the demolition, which began late in the first half. The StingRays, in easily their best performance in a 3-1 start, played a defensive game against San Jose (1-4) that pleased Coach Maura McHugh.

“We weren’t happy with our defensive effort against Colorado [an 82-80 loss Tuesday at home] and our players worked hard all week on defense,” McHugh said afterward.

“It showed tonight. We boxed out, worked the picks well and our transition defense was excellent. We got back and covered their shooters quickly.”

Griffith had 21 points, 16 rebounds, three steals and two blocks in 23 minutes, sitting out much of the second half after she was knocked down and hit her head on the floor.

Bauer, a second-year pro cut loose by Columbus last year, came in for a sluggish Venus Lacy and had 12 points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes--both career highs.

Another castoff, Hungarian point guard Andrea Nagy, turned loose by Seattle after last season, ran the rout, with three three-point baskets and 17 points in 35 minutes.

Nagy finished the third quarter with a three-point back shot at the horn as she fell, giving Long Beach a 71-45 lead.

Long Beach took the crowd out of it early, building an eight-point lead midway through the second quarter.

The StingRays’ defense, porous in a Tuesday loss to Colorado, was a good bit more intense Friday night. Too intense for San Jose, anyway.

McHugh’s perimeter personnel played it tighter and inside players weren’t afraid to give up fouls in the paint to players such as Jennifer Azzi.

Griffith finished off the first half’s prettiest play, a fastbreak layup after a steal, Nicky McCrimmon supplying the assist.

Defensively, she tormented San Jose in the first quarter on three consecutive possessions. She:

* Went over the top of 6-5 Anita Kaplan for a rebound.

* Blocked a shot.

* Forced a bad shot by Azzi, who had driven down the middle of the StingRays’ defense.

Griffith had seven rebounds in the opening quarter (the league one-quarter record is nine) and seven points. She finished with 12 defensive rebounds.

Long Beach, two for 13 on three-point tries against Colorado, was seven for 13 on Friday; Nagy was three for five.