Free throws were the difference in the Long Beach State women’s basketball team’s loss at Arizona on Sunday.
The 49ers closed out a four-game road trip with a 56-47 loss to the host Wildcats at the McKale Center.
LBSU (2-6) outshot the Wildcats (32.2 to 29.6 percent) but Arizona hit 21 of its 26 free-throw attempts, compared to the ‘Niners 4-of-6 at the charity stripe. U of A also held a 46-36 advantage in rebounds.
Freshman Adelle Walton led The Beach with a season-high 13 points, while junior Courtney Jacob chipped in eight.
In a low-scoring first half, LBSU shot just 27.6 percent from the field, but was able to hold the Wildcats to a 21.2 field goal percentage.
Arizona (5-4) jumped out to an early 5-1 advantage and would go up by as many as seven before the 49ers started to chip away with a baseline jumper by junior Lauren Sims, tying the game at 18.
The 49ers would eventually take its first lead of the afternoon on a pair of Sims free throws at the six-minute mark. LBSU was able to stay on top for the remainder of the half, going up 22-21 at the break.
The two teams went back-and-forth in the second half, but the Wildcats eventually pulled ahead late and hit eight consecutive free throws in the final 40 seconds to hold on for the win.
Reiko Thomas led Arizona with a game-high 23 points and Ify Ibekwe recorded a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds.
The ‘Niners have now dropped five of their last six games.
LBSU will return to the Walter Pyramid on Saturday against Brigham Young in a non-conference match-up. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
