Long Beach Moves Game, but Pacific Makes Itself at Home

Cal State Long Beach moved its game Thursday night from the Long Beach Arena to the campus gym in the hope of generating some home-court enthusiasm, but it was Pacific that reaped the reward.

Pacific, led by Kyle Pepple’s 23 points and Domingo Rosario’s 17, defeated the 49ers, 64-57, to end a 20-game road losing streak. The Tigers had lost 37 of their last 38 road games.

Long Beach moved the game because its average home crowd of 1,500 fans was almost lost in the 12,000-seat Long Beach Arena. Thursday night’s attendance was 1,230, which half filled the gym, but the 49ers failed to respond.

“It’s a better feeling here, but for some strange reason we were sluggish,” Long Beach Coach Ron Palmer said after his team lost for the 19th time in 22 games.

Long Beach attempted 10 more field goals than Pacific but shot only 40%. The Tigers hit 57% in the second half and 51% for the game.

Darryl Adams scored 21 points and had 10 rebounds to lead the 49ers, who dropped to 1-12 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. Pacific is 8-15 and 4-10.