For the first time since New Years Day, Long Beach State women’s basketball returned to Walter Pyramid and put on a show resulting in a 62-44 victory over UC San Diego.
“It’s great to be home, really just great to play,” LBSU coach Jeff Cammon said. “But playing in front of our friends and family gives such a boost. Being at home, there is a comfort level. You expect to play well…I think we have the best fans in the country.”
LBSU was able to force UCSD into 20 turnovers which led to 24 points for the Beach.
“Coming into this year, scoring points off turnovers was one of our main focus points,” LBSU guard Ma’qhi Berry said. “Just running hard in practice. I mean the conditioning we do, it works. We are faster and more conditioned than most teams.”
Berry had a solid all-around game with 11 points, three rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block. She was accompanied by Big West Player of the Week Maddi Utti and her double double consisting of 13 points and 14 rebounds.
“(Utti) just competes,” Cammon said. “She is probably the most humble, really good player I know. She came into this program and just fit right in. She didn’t come with an ego, she just said I will do whatever you need me to do.”
LBSU took a double-digit lead into halftime, 33-23, after tallying eight steals and four blocks.
UCSD’s Emily Cangelosi did what she could as far as keeping the Tritons in the game. She finished with a game-high 14 points, but it wasn’t enough as they could only get within nine.
LBSU will visit UC Irvine on Saturday before hosting UC Riverside next Thursday.
VIDEO: Long Beach State vs. UC San Diego, Women’s Basketball
PHOTOS: Long Beach State vs. UC San Diego, Women’s Basketball
