49ers fall; Hollans shows she can fly

By Alex Korson
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

The Long Beach State women's basketball team has found themselves in a peculiar situation – losing a game that was within their grasp. At War Memorial Gym in San Francisco, the 49ers lost a close one, 62-57, to a talented group of USF Dons. Early in the game the 49ers held the momentum until their new star player was called on two early fouls. Aisha Hollans, a transfer standout athlete from USC, made her highly anticipated debut for the 49ers.

Early in the first period, Hollans was called on two aggressive fouls, which caused 49er Head Coach Mary Hegarty to replace her; leaving Hollans with only 10 minutes played in the first half. After the 49ers took a 30-27 lead with 17:56 left, USF went on a 14-4 run, which was capped by a Stephen's lay up at 12:09 to lead 41-34.

LBSU turned the ball over 14 times in the first half and shot just 37 percent from the floor. USF shot 38 percent from the floor in the first half and also committed 14 turnovers, leaving both coaches with plenty to discuss at halftime.

After a well fought first half, the 49ers went into the break with a one-point deficit and with the chance of a road win in their sites. USF led by a six-point margin for most of the second half until Wilson stole a pass with 1:57 left in regulation and took the ball in for an easy lay up, cutting the score to 56-54.

That was the closest the 49ers would get however, as key missed free throws by Long Beach State combined with jump shots falling for USF led to the whistle being blown and the contest coming to an end with USF on top.

Mary Jane Krueger scored 14 points and had 10 rebounds to complete an impressive double double for the Dons, while Hollans overcame her early foul trouble to lead the 49ers with 17 points.

USF out rebounded the 49ers 46-27, many of which came on the offensive side of the ball, which gave the Dons many second-chance opportunities.

After finally receiving her eligibility, Hollans played with poise as she led the team with 17 points in her first game as a 49er. Scoring 17 points is definitely not foreign to Hollans as she averaged 17.6 points per game with USC when she was named to the first team All Pac-10 as a sophomore.

The 49ers will host Houston tonight at 7 p.m. in The Pyramid.