Long Beach Falls to San Jose, 71-59 : 49ers Get Close, but Turnovers Ruin Comeback Attempt

Cal State Long Beach got careless when it could least afford to Saturday night and lost to San Jose State, 71-59.

The 49ers, fighting back from an 11-point deficit, came to within 52-50 when Rudy Harvey made a dunk shot.

But two quick turnovers later and it was evident the comeback would never be completed.

“That proved to be our demise,” Long Beach Coach Ron Palmer said.

Poor shooting contributed too. The 49ers shot only 37.5% in the second half.

In 1:38, San Jose increased the lead to 60-50. That streak took the 49ers and the crowd of 1,744 in the university gym out of the game.

Guard Bobby Evans started the surge with a jump shot. Then he made two free throws.

George Puou, who was on his way to a career-high 23 points, followed with a jumper and Reggie Owens hit a bank shot.

Long Beach, meanwhile, went almost three minutes without scoring.

San Jose, 10-9 overall, raised its Pacific Coast Athletic Assn. record to 6-4 and moved into a second-place tie with the 49ers.

Long Beach, 11-11 overall, lost to San Jose for the second time this season.

“That was one of the better defenses we’ve faced all year,” Palmer said. It forced the 49ers into 19 turnovers.

San Jose Coach Bill Berry agreed.

“We tried to jack up the intensity in the second half,’ Berry said. “Everybody did what they were supposed to do.”

Evans and Ricky Berry each scored 13 points for the Spartans. DeAnthony Langston led Long Beach with 14.