PCAA Roundup : 49ers Let Rebels and Tark the Shark Off Hook, 72-65

The expected mismatch never developed, and Nevada Las Vegas had to fight for survival Saturday night against Cal State Long Beach.

But the Rebels (19-2 overall, 8-0 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn.), helped by a roaring crowd of 17,202 at the Thomas and Mack Center, held on to defeat the surprising 49ers, 72-65.

The 49ers (5-14, 1-7), last in the PCAA, refused to panic in the “Shark Tank,” where Las Vegas has won 39 of 40 games since it opened in 1983.

“It was very scary,” Las Vegas Coach Jerry Tarkanian said.

The 49ers trailed, 39-31, at halftime but came back to take a 55-53 lead on a rebound shot by guard Reggie Wallace with 8:57 left.

That’s when the disbelieving crowd came alive. With the noise bearing down on them, the 49ers made three straight turnovers and Las Vegas built a 66-58 lead.

Forward Armon Gilliam, who led the Rebels with 18 points and 12 rebounds, made two baskets during the spurt which seemed put Long Beach away for good.

But the 49ers came back on a three-point shot by Billy Walker and field goals by Stephen Hamlin and Morlon Wiley to cut the lead to 66-65.

But Gilliam responded with a jumper, and the 49ers could not score again.

DeAnthony Langston and Andre Purry had 15 points each for the 49ers.