The Long Beach State women’s basketball team is set to make a pivotal trip to the Hawaiian Islands to face the Rainbow Wahine on Saturday, December 7.
With tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. (HT) and 9 p.m. (PT) at the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, fans on the mainland can catch the action live on ESPN+, while viewers in Hawaii can tune into Spectrum Sports.
As the Beach embark on this important match, they carry momentum from a recent victory, having opened their Big West season with a 67-56 win over rival Cal State Fullerton. This triumph has improved their overall record to 4-3 and established them at 1-0 in league play.
Long Beach State is riding a two-game winning streak, following their earlier victory against Pepperdine, where they secured a 68-61 win. The team’s current performance has seen them shooting at 37.7% from the field, coupled with an average of 42.7 rebounds per game, putting them at the forefront of the conference in rebounding.
Guided by Head Coach Amy Wright in her second season, the Beach squad boasts a blend of experience and youthful talent. They welcome back six letterwinners from last season, along with eight newcomers who are eager to contribute.
Among the standout players is Rachel Loobie, who leads the team in rebounding with an average of 6.33 boards per game, ranking her seventh in the conference. The graduate transfer from Wright State also contributes significantly on the offensive end with 6.4 points per game and has made her presence felt defensively with 13 blocks this season.
Savannah Tucker, a senior guard and standout player for Long Beach State, has been a scoring machine, averaging 14.4 points per game. Displaying exceptional prowess on the court, Tucker registered a career-high 29 points in a thrilling game against Sacramento State on November 17. Her performance not only showcases her scoring ability but also her versatility, as she adds 2.7 rebounds per game and leads the team in assists and steals.
Another bright spot for Long Beach State is true freshman Mykelle Richards, who has stepped into a starting role over the last four games. She showcased her skills by leading the team with a career-high 15 points while shooting 70.0% from the field against Pepperdine. With a field goal percentage of 50.0%, Richards ranks third in The Big West.
Joining Richards in the Top 10 for field goal percentage is sophomore Jada Crawshaw, shooting 39.1% this season. Crawshaw, hailing from Darwin, Australia, is averaging 10.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, and she ties for 10th in the conference with 2.00 offensive rebounds per game.
On the defensive end, senior guard Patricia Chung stands out as a leader, ranking fourth in The Big West with an average of 4.83 defensive rebounds per game. She contributes 9.6 points per game, rounding out a solid performance of 6.0 rebounds, 18 assists, and nine steals.
True freshman JaQuoia Jones-Brown is also emerging as a valuable contributor, averaging 5.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, along with six assists and three steals. As the team continues to build its cohesion and strategy, they look to capitalize on their growing chemistry.
In terms of rankings, the Big West Preseason Coaches Poll had Long Beach State finishing fourth, gathering 63 points behind forecasting favorites Hawaii, UC Irvine, and UC Davis.
Hawai’i enters this match as one of the preseason favorites after garnering 96 points in the poll with six first-place votes. The Rainbow Wahine will be looking to bounce back after falling 70-49 to UCLA last Sunday.
Currently, Hawai’i boasts a record of 5-2 and has emerged victorious in five of their last six contests, presenting a formidable challenge for Long Beach State.
The Rainbow Wahine are powered by leading scorers Ritorya Tamilo and Daejah Phillips, averaging 10.8 and 10.7 points per game respectively. Tamilo also leads her team with 11 blocks while adding 4.8 rebounds and six steals, showcasing her all-around game.
Phillips is critical in orchestrating the offense, leading the team in assists with 19, along with being a defensive force with 16 steals. Meanwhile, Lily Wahinekapu is contributing consistently, leading the squad in rebounding while providing 9.9 points per game.
This matchup marks the 49th all-time meeting between Long Beach State and Hawai’i, with the Rainbow Wahine holding a slight edge in the series at 26-22. Hawai’i has secured victories in the last three meetings, making this game essential for the Beach to turn the tables.
As both teams are eager to leave a mark in their Big West openers, fans can expect an electric atmosphere and an intense battle on the court. Additionally, Savannah Tucker’s recent achievements were highlighted in a career game on November 17, where she not only reached her scoring peak but also contributed significantly across multiple facets of the game.
Off the court, the Long Beach State community is proud of the recognition for student-athlete Lovely Sonnier, who was selected for the newly established Kay Yow Servant Leader Award. This award honors student-athletes who show exemplary leadership and selflessness, aligning with the values promoted by Coach Kay Yow’s legacy.
Sonnier was acknowledged for her extensive volunteerism at various community initiatives, including her work at Miller Children’s Hospital and her involvement in the Big West “Tough Like Tammy” campaign.
In addition to current affairs, Long Beach State has already begun looking forward to the future with the recent announcement of signing three new players for the 2025-26 season: Rosie Akot, Morgan Mack, and Brynna Pukis. Each new addition brings distinct skills and backgrounds, adding depth to the program.
Akot will bring her instincts and passion from South Australia, while Mack, a prolific scorer from California, aims to make a significant impact on the Beach program. Pukis, known for her shooting ability from the perimeter, is also expected to enhance the team’s offensive capabilities.
Following this contest against Hawai’i, Long Beach State is set to return to the Walter Pyramid, hosting three non-conference games against UCLA (Dec. 14), Elon (Dec. 19), and Bethesda (Dec. 30).
Fans of Long Beach State women’s basketball can keep up with all the latest updates by following the team on social media at @LBSUWBB on Twitter and Instagram, and @LBSUAthletics for overall university athletics news.
As the Beach prepares for this significant matchup, the focus will be on harnessing their growing talents and building on recent successes to deliver a strong performance in their Big West opener against the Rainbow Wahine.
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