Preview: Long Beach State Faces Cal State Fullerton in Big West Women’s Basketball FULLERTON, Calif. (Interstat) — A struggling Long Beach State team seeks to reverse its fortunes against a surging Cal State Fullerton squad when the rivals meet in a Big West Conference women’s basketball game Thursday night. The game at Titan Gymnasium pits teams at opposite ends of the conference standings. The visiting 49ers (3-19 overall) have lost three straight and 10 of their last 11. The home Titans (14-9) have won six of their last seven, including a dramatic 92-87 double-overtime victory at Cal State Bakersfield last Saturday. Cal State Fullerton dominated the first meeting this season, winning 84-66 at Long Beach State on Jan. 22. Titans guard Cristina Jones scored 15 points in that contest and enters Thursday’s game in exceptional form. She is coming off a career-high 35-point performance in 50 minutes against Bakersfield and has averaged 24.3 points over her last three games. Long Beach State will look to guard Brynna Pukis to provide a spark. She led the 49ers with 14 points in their most recent outing, a 64-53 loss to UC San Diego on Feb. 5. In the January loss to Fullerton, Pukis contributed 7 points and 4 assists. The Titans’ recent success has been built on winning close games, with three of their last four victories coming by four points or fewer or in overtime. Long Beach State’s two conference wins this season were by a combined five points, including a 62-61 victory over Cal State Northridge on Jan. 17. The 49ers’ defense will face a significant challenge against a Fullerton offense that has scored at least 82 points in three of its last four games. Long Beach State has allowed 67 or more points in seven of its last eight losses. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST at Titan Gymnasium.