Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Florida Atlantic
5-4
Long Beach State
10-1
Women's Basketball Drops Opener at Beach Classic
12/20/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- A large second-half run by Long Beach State cost the Florida Atlantic University women's basketball team a chance at a victory on Friday in the opening game of the Beach Classic.
LBSU (10-1) went on a 13-2 run early in the second half to pull away from the Owls (5-4) for an 85-60 victory at the Walter Pyramid.
Junior Ali Gorrell recorded her first career double-double with a team-high 18 points and 11 rebounds on the night. Sophomore Shaneese Bailey scored 16 points and snagged five steals.
After the 49ers took an early lead on free throws, FAU's Malia Kency hit her 25th 3-pointer of the season and Bailey made a fast-break layup to give the Owls their only lead of the game at 5-2.
LBSU would lead by as many as 11 at the 11-minute mark before FAU pulled back within two on a 3-pointer by Kat Wright. The 49ers scored on a layup and a free throw with five seconds left to take a 38-33 lead into the locker room.
Bailey scored FAU's first eight points of the second half to get within one at 40-39 with 17:42 to play before the 49ers took over.
LBSU scored 11 consecutive points to go up by 53-41 with 13:37 to play, and extended the lead to 20 points at 68-48 less than six minutes later.
Bailey and Gorrell combined to score FAU's last seven points over the closing minutes, but the Owls were unable to complete a comeback.
FAU faces New Mexico State on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
