Second-half collapse

UC Irvine freshman Lauren Yadon had nearly half the Anteaters’

field goals en route to a career-high 21 points, but it wasn’t enough

to prevent a 64-50 loss to visiting Long Beach State in the Big West

Conference women’s basketball opener for both teams Sunday.

Yadon, a 6-foot-3 forward, made 8 of 19 field-goal attempts

(42.1%), including 1 of 2 three-pointers, and also netted 4 of 5 foul

shots as the Anteaters’ primary offensive option. But the rest of

UCI’s squad was just 9 of 36 from the field (25%) and the hosts made

just 7 of 27 shots from the field in the second half, when they were

outscored, 34-21.

UCI’s shooting percentage of 30.9 was a season low and it’s work

from the foul line didn’t help, either. The Anteaters connected on

just 13 of 23 free throws (56.5%), while Long Beach nailed 10 of 12

(83.3%).

It was the ninth straight loss to the 49ers (4-8) for the

Anteaters (7-5), who have now lost back-to-back games for the first

time this season. UCI, which opened 6-2, has now lost three of its

last four and four of its last six. UCI has also lost five straight

regular-season conference games, dating back to last season.

UCI, which trailed, 30-29, at halftime, was even with the 49ers

with 14:04 left in the game. But a 20-5 run by the visitors over the

next 10 minutes secured victory in a game that featured eight lead

changes and three ties.

Long Beach State dominated in the rebounding department,

collecting 47 to the Anteaters’ 28.

Yadon added five rebounds, while teammate Christina Callaway, a

6-0 junior forward, collected a game-high 11 rebounds and a career-high six steals to go with her five points.

Kristen Green, a 5-8 junior guard, chipped in 12 points for the

hosts, who return to action Thursday when they host Cal State

Fullerton in another Big West clash at 7 p.m..

Excluding Yadon, UCI’s starters made just 7 of 33 field-goal

attempts (21.2%), against a Long Beach State squad that came in

leading Big West contingents in scoring defense.

Glory Johnson led Long Beach State with 20 points and eight

rebounds. She knocked down 8 of 13 field-goal attempts (61.5%) to

help the 49ers finish at 42.4% from the field (25 of 59).

UCI’s 50 points were its second-fewest of the season, behind a

47-point output in a three-point loss at Loyola Marymount Dec. 28.

Big West Conference

Long Beach St. 64, UCI 50

Long Beach State -- Johnson 20, Rush 4, Wilson 8,

Baker 6, Mack 2, Gosschalk 11, Blevins 6, Bull 5, Stout 2.

3-pt. goals -- Gosschalk 3, Bull 1.

Fouled out -- Rush.

Technicals -- none.

UC Irvine -- Yadon 21, Callaway 5, Faulkner 0, Gabbe

5, Green 12, Ferguson 4, Biggins 2, Usher 1.

3-pt goals -- Yadon 1, Gabbe 1, Green 1.

Fouled out -- none.

Technicals -- none.

Halftime -- Long Beach St, 30-29.