BOX SCORE

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Columbia women's basketball fought hard Saturday afternoon at Long Beach State but ultimately fell by a 79-50 score at the Walter Pyramid.

First-year Sara Mead reached a new career benchmark with 11 points to lead the way for Columbia, which fell to 2-9 on the season.

The 49ers scored nine unanswered points to start the game, and built a 34-18 lead at halftime.

Bailey Ott cut the deficit to 14 just 2:35 into the second frame, but that would be as close as the Lions would come, and Long Beach State went on for the victory.

Long Beach State (7-5) had four players in double figures to hand the Lions the loss. Bianka Balthazar and Sigrid Skorpen each recorded a game-high 17 points, while Devin Hudson posted 14 and Lauren Spargo added 10.

The Lions will wrap up 2012 with a New Year's Eve contest at Cal State Fullerton at 5 p.m. EST.