The 49ers, who completed the season sweep against the Matadors, improved to 9-13 overall and 5-4 in Big West action.

LBSU shot a blistering 53.6 percent from the field and outrebounded CSUN, 39-27. In addition to Sims' 19 points, senior Karina Figueroa had 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Senior Ally Wade finished with 15 points, while sophomore Tipesa Moorer chipped in 10 points.

The Beach took an early 5-2 lead on a jumper by Figueroa, but the Matadors stayed close and went up by one at the 15:18 mark. Junior Melanie Lisnock then ended a three-minute scoring drought for LBSU with a pair of free throws to put the 49ers back on top, 7-6.

After trading baskets over the next five minutes, Long Beach State eventually went on a 13-5 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Sims, to pull ahead, 30-22, with 3:41 remaining.

Cal State Northridge (3-16, 1-8 BWC) trailed by seven and had the ball with time winding down, but Wade was able to get a steal and went all the way to the basket for the layup and the foul. After Wade completed the three-point play with six seconds on the clock, CSUN was unable to get a shot off and the 49ers took a 41-31 lead into intermission.

LBSU shot 55.6 percent from the field and held a 20-14 advantage on the boards in the first period.

Early in the second half, Janelle Nomura made a layup to bring the Matadors within nine, but The Beach proceeded to go on a 14-6 spurt, capped by a Brett Timmons layup, to take a 17-point advantage (60-43) with 11:52 remaining. 

The 49ers cruised the rest of the way, going up by as many as 26, en route to the 86-67 victory.

Cal State Northridge shot 44.3 percent from the field. Katrina Thompson paced the Matadors with 16 points and Violet Alama added 15.

Long Beach State returns to the Walter Pyramid next Thursday (Feb. 11) when it plays host to conference-leading Cal Poly at 7 p.m. (PST).