Long Beach Rides the Stellar Efforts of Ramsey, Moore

Forward Ekuah Ramsey and center Jackie Moore were the 1-2 offensive punch that the Long Beach State women’s basketball team needed Wednesday afternoon.

They combined to score 50 points and the 49ers held off Idaho, 82-73, in the first round of the Big West Conference tournament at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Long Beach (16-12) plays Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (12-16) at noon Friday in a semifinal game.

The 49ers need to reduce their turnovers. Heavily favored Long Beach committed 20 turnovers against Idaho, and was tied, 31-31, with 2:19 left in the first half.

That’s when the 49ers demonstrated that their best defense is their offense. They took a 37-33 lead into the locker room and got several fastbreak baskets to start the second half. It was all part of an 18-7 run that gave Long Beach a 55-50 lead after a lay-in by Moore with 13:17 left.

Idaho cut the 49ers’ lead to 76-70 with 37 seconds to go after a three-point basket by Jennifer Schooler, but it was too late.

Ramsey had 30 points on 14-of-20 shooting. Moore, who sat out much of the first half because of a sore ankle, had 20 points.

Guard Darci Pemberton led Idaho with 18 points.