Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
0-1
BYU
1-0
49ers Unable to Snap BYU's Home Win Streak
11/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 14, 2008
PROVO, Utah - It was nearly the upset Long Beach State hoped for in the season opener. After leading BYU by seven at the half, the Beach couldn't hold on as the Cougars picked up their nation's-best 48th straight home win with a hard-fought 75-65 decision Friday night in the Marriott Center.
The 49ers led for most of the first half behind some timely shooting and tough defense. The Beach shot 46.9 percent from the floor in the first half while holding BYU (1-0) to just 38.7 percent shooting. LBSU had 10 assists on their 15 first half buckets.
The Cougars kept it close in the first half thanks to All-America candidate Lee Cummard. The Cougar wing scored 22 of his teams 31 points before the break and finished with a career-high 36 points and 11 boards. Forward Jonathan Tavernari added 19 points to keep The Beach from finishing the upset.
LBSU (0-1)used a balanced attack that saw 10 of the 11 49ers who played score. Senior Donovan Morris paced the Niners scoring a team-high 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting. Senior Cornel Williams second career double-double with 11 points, on 4-of-8 shooting, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range, and 10 rebounds. Junior Steph Gilling added 12 points in his first game for The Beach.
All four 49er true freshmen helped Long Beach State to the near upset. Eugene Phelps led the frosh foursome with eight points, on 4-of-6 shooting, and three rebounds. Larry Anderson had two points, three assists and three boards, while Casper Ware had seven points, three rebounds and three assists. T.J. Robinson scored two points and had a steal and a rebound.
Long Beach State travels to Wisconsin to play the Badgers on Sunday at 1 p.m. The game is on the Big 10 Network.
