CS Long Beach’s Gym Is Cozy for CS Fullerton

Cal State Long Beach’s little gymnasium has been providing a big advantage for the 49ers, but Cal State Fullerton really makes itself at home there.

The Titans won for the second consecutive season at Long Beach Thursday night, 90-79, in a Big West Conference game before 1,990. Cedric Ceballos scored a game-high 31 points and Wayne Williams made 10 consecutive free throws in the last six minutes for the Titans.

Returning to Long Beach was all Fullerton, which had been 2-6 on the road, seemed to need.

“I finally figured it out,” Fullerton Coach John Sneed said. “It’s not the road, it’s big arenas. Maybe we play better in small gyms with a lot of lines on the floor. And we’re able to bring a few fans over here. I think that helps us.”

The 49ers had won six consecutive games in the gym this season and were 21-4 there the last 2 1/2 years.

Fullerton, 9-6 overall and 3-3 in the Big West, beat Long Beach (11-4, 4-3) at its own aggressive, fast-breaking game.

“They dictated the tempo and had things their way,” Long Beach Coach Joe Harington said. “The difference was Cedric Ceballos and Wayne Williams.”

Using their press to force two quick turnovers, the 49ers scored six points in the first 43 seconds of the second half to cut the Titans’ 42-35 halftime lead to 42-41.

Sneed called time out, after which Ceballos hit a three-point shot to get the Titans rolling again.

“You have to get the ball in quick against their press,” Sneed said. “I reminded them not to get tentative, and to fight fire with fire.”

Ceballos scored six more points and the Titans were quickly ahead, 53-42.

“It was the type of game I like to play . . . up and down (the floor),” said Ceballos, who also had 12 rebounds.

The 49ers fought back to within 66-65 when Troy Joseph made an uncontested layup with 6:15 left. But 90 seconds later, after four free throws by Williams, two free throws and a three-pointer by Mark Hill and a rebound basket by Van Anderson, Fullerton was in command, 77-65.

Hill and Williams each had 21 points for the Titans. Sixteen of Williams’ points were in the second half.

In the first half, the 49ers seemed to be in control as they opened a 25-18 lead.

Then Fullerton hit them with a 24-7 blitz to take a 42-32 lead. Ceballos scored nine points during that stretch, and Hill and Williams each made three-pointers.

Long Beach had no answer for Fullerton’s surge, mainly because of poor free-throw shooting. The 49ers made only four of 13 free throws in the first half.

The 49ers made 93% of their free throws in the second half, but it was too late.

Kevin Cutler led Long Beach with 20 points. Lucious Harris scored 14 and Tyrone Mitchell had 12 assists.

The 49ers, who shot 51.9% in the first half, shot 36.8% in the second half, finishing at 43.1%.

Long Beach had been forcing 23 turnovers a game, but Fullerton, not confused for the most part by the 49er press or all of the lines on the little gym’s floor, made only 13.