Two points shy of 1000 career points, senior guard Lauren Spargo will lead the Long Beach women’s basketball team in its last two games of the season starting Thursday at Cal State Northridge.
“It’s just exciting, to know that I was a college basketball player that accomplished something,” Spargo said. “It’s pretty special. I’m going to walk out of here feeling good about what I did.”
Spargo will likely join fellow senior Alex Sanchez as members of the 1000 career point club when LBSU hosts UC Riverside (16-12, 7-7) on Saturday. Sanchez reached the milestone on Jan. 29 in a 72-64 loss at Hawaii.
As part of Senior Night, the 49ers will honor their three seniors against UCR: Spargo, Sanchez and Hallie Meneses.
“To know that it’s our last time playing at home in front of our crowd, it’s bittersweet,” Meneses said, “I’ve been cherishing the moments, so at shoot around I just try to stay loose and enjoy my teammates company because I’ll never be around this group of girls again.”
After four years and countless hours spent together, Wynn said the three seniors were outstanding role models for their teammates.
“They’re three of the hardest workers and three of the most loyal players,” Wynn said. “They’re our best leaders. All three gave their hearts for LBSU and represented themselves well off the court.”
LBSU is going into a pivotal match up against second-placed CSUN (20-9, 10-5) with an extra chip on its shoulder after the Matadors snapped the 49ers’ 15-game winning streak on Jan. 24.
“We have a three-game losing streak against [CSUN],” senior point guard Hallie Meneses said. “For us it could be the last time playing them. [are we not ending this quote? does it just go on in perpetuity]
The last time the 49ers managed to beat the Matadors was Feb. 9, 2013 when they won 70-63. That fact has LBSU locked in on its opponent and focused on what’s still at stake.
“Of course this game is big for us,” Meneses said. “We’re still jockeying for position. We need people to step up. We had [freshman Cecily Wilson] and Spargo step up against Fullerton. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before.”
The 49ers and Matadors will square off at 7 p.m. on Thursday night. Tip-off for Saturday’s final home game of the season is set for 4 p.m.
