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Health & Fitness

49er Women's Basketball Secure Tournament Berth

Tipesea Moorer scores 20 in her last regular season game as she and fellow senior Sarah Lottinville were honored on Senior Night.

When senior forward Tipsea Moorer joined the Long Beach State 49ers women’s basketball team three years ago, she was not the mature, senior leader that exemplified her final season, which ended with a 62-61 win over Cal State Fullerton Thursday night at the Walter Pyramid.

“We actually had to suspend her because of her lax attitude,” Niners Head Coach Jody Wynn said.  “I told her ‘you WILL be the best player out there, the best person you can be.’  In her first start against Santa Barbra, she went off to lead us to a win, which was the first win there since 1991.  Her confidence went through the roof and she changed and became the mature leader she is today.”

Moorer led the way with a game high 20 points, five rebounds (including four offensive) for the Beach.  Her 20 points is the third time she score 20 or more points, and the 23rd time she scored in double digits.

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Freshman guard Alex Sanchez added 14 points, three rebounds, three blocks and a steal.  Hallie Meneses tallied 11 points, three rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Chantel Dooley and Lauren Spargo each dropped eight for the Beach.

Fullerton’s Megan Richardson had two shots to win the game, but she couldn’t convert.  Trailing 62-61, Richardson drove down the lane and put up a layup which spun in the cylinder, but then it rimmed out.  Moorer then grabbed an apparent rebound, but it was called a jump ball, giving Fullerton another chance. 

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Once again Richardson got the ball, and was harassed the whole way, and wasn’t able to get the shot off as the ball was poked away, preserving the victory for the Beach.

“We knew that Richardson was going to get the ball,” Wynn said.  “Fullerton is a very good team, and Richardson is a very good player, good enough to carry the team on her shoulders.  We lost her a few times in transition, including at the start of the second half.”

Richardson finished with 18 points, five rebounds and a steal to lead the way for the Titans. Lauren Chow added 15 points, nine assists and two steals while Mya Olivier dropped 14 points, six rebounds and a block and two steals.

Sanchez scored 14 points, but her last two was the biggest ones, as she drove down the lane to make a layup which was the potential go-ahead basket.

“Alex (Sanchez) has great versatility, and is sure-handed and will not get the ball stripped from her,” Wynn said. “She was able to use her body to get to the basket.”

Long Beach (12-18, 7-10 Big West Conference) now awaits its opponent for the Big West Conference tournament which begins March 6.

“Anyone can beat anyone,” Wynn said. “All the teams are battle tested, played in overtime games, close games.  The team that can execute and make the least mistakes will win the tournament.”

 BOX SCORES

LONG BEACH STATE (62) – Tipsea Moorer (20), Alex Sanchez (14), Hallie Meneses (11), Chantel Dooley (8), Lauren Spargo (8), Devin Hudson (1)

CAL STATE FULLERTON (61) – Megan Richardson (18), Lauren Chow (15), Mya Olivier (14), Kathleen Iwuoha (4), Alicya Crisp (4), Lauren Bushong (4),  Tailer Butler (2).

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