Georgetown Slows CS Long Beach, 82-63

Cal State Long Beach was averaging more than 94 points a game under first-year Coach Joe Harrington’s run-and-gun system. Until they played No. 16-ranked Georgetown Saturday, that is.

The Hoyas’ feared pressure defense forced 16 first-half turnovers, and Georgetown cruised to an 82-63 victory over the 49ers. Charles Smith scored 20 points, and Perry McDonald contributed 18 points and 9 rebounds to pace the Hoyas.

“I think they deserve to be ranked a lot higher,” said Harrington, who until last season was head coach at George Mason in Fairfax, Va. “They do an excellent job defensively.”

Thompson rode his team hard in practice heading into the game.

“I was pleased because I think we beat a good team today, an excellent shooting team,” said Thompson, aware that the 49ers were among the nation’s scoring leaders with a 94.4 average before Saturday. “It sort of gradually moves you toward the tone of what you’re trying to get into.”

Thompson added: “I was tough, very tough in practice--a lot of profanity and jumping around and screaming and acting like a fool. And I’m getting too old for that. But I think (by) the same token, I just wanted them to be aware of the fact that we’ve got to increase the level of intensity, and everybody’s got to be alert.”

The Hoyas (6-1) took command with a 16-4 run in the final six minutes of the first half to turn a one-point lead into a 41-28 bulge at halftime.

Long Beach (4-2) scored the first seven points of the second half to pull within 41-35, but Smith and Dwayne Bryant both contributed four points during a 12-4 run that resulted in a 66-51 lead with 9:25 left.

Morlon Wiley scored 14 points, DeAnthony Langston had 12 and Andre Purry added 10 for the 49ers.

Georgetown out-rebounded the 49ers, 55-35, but made just 21 of 48 free throws.