Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
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BYU
1-0
49ers Drop Fast-Paced Opener At BYU 95-90
11/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Provo, Utah - Long Beach State raced out to a 47-46 lead after one half against BYU, but ultimately weren't able to slow the BYU defense in a brisk opening game, falling 95-90 on the road in Utah. Mike Caffey scored 26 points to lead the 49ers, while McKay LaSalle and Deontae North each added 16 for the Beach.
Long Beach State shot 54.1 percent on the game, a very solid effort to open the year, led by Caffey who was 4-for-5 beyond the arc, adding six assists and five rebounds to go with his 26 points.
LaSalle, a native of nearby Bountiful, Utah, made the most of his return to the area. The senior scored a career-high 16 points in front of a boisterous cheering section of family and friends.
"I expected [LaSalle] to have a game like that. He's in a good rhythm right now, and our guys were looking for him," said head coach Dan Monson following the game. "He really wanted to come in here and play well and win, and he was able to do one of those things."
Also playing well in their debuts were Long Beach State's latest quartet of freshman recruits, all playing solid minutes in their first Division I competition. Jack Williams played 20 minutes and got the start, while North scored 16 in 30 minutes off of the bench. Temidayo Yussuf scored four points in 13 minutes, while Justin Bibbins had three assists in 10 minutes.
BYU opened the contest by taking a 9-5 lead over the opening four minutes, and would hold on to the lead through most of the first half. A three-pointer by McKay LaSalle with 11 minutes remaining in the first half tied the game for the second time, and the 49ers were able to push out to their first lead at 29-28 after two made free throws by Yussuf.
The teams traded the lead back and forth over the rest of the half, with Caffey finding LaSalle in the corner for a three to put the Beach in front 47-46 entering the break.
Out of halftime, the Cougars went on a 7-0 run to take a 53-47 lead with 17:13 to play.
You have to really give BYU credit," said Monson. "They came out in the second half with a different mindset and really took it to us. You can't come into an environment like this and have a stretch like we did over the first five minutes of the second half."
Long Beach State was able to punch back into the game, pulling back within one point at 59-58 on a Jack Williams 3-pointer, and tied the game at 66-66 with under 10 minutes remaining in the contest.
BYU was able to answer with a 3-pointer from Chase Fischer, the start of a 13-3 run that put the Cougars in the lead for good. Caffey was able to pull the 49ers within six a couple of times in the closing minutes, but the Cougars were able to hold on for the win.
The Cougars had five players in double-figures, led by Tyler Haws who had 21 points and Skyler Halford who added 18. "I think that game was a good opening game for both teams, and both teams will benefit from that game in the weeks to come," said Monson.
Long Beach State has a very quick turnaround, returning to the Walter Pyramid Saturday afternoon for the 49ers' home opener. With Homecoming festivities leading into the 4 p.m. tipoff against San Francisco State, fans will get an opportunity to view the Men's Basketball debut of the new video board in the Walter Pyramid as well as the home debut of the 2014-15 squad.
