Reserves Key 18th Victory for 49ers

Cal State Long Beach won its 18th game Saturday night, the first time the 49ers have had that many victories in a season in 10 years.

With reserve Ronnie Winbush leading a balanced attack with 14 points in 11 minutes, the 49ers defeated Utah State, 82-74, before a sellout crowd of 1,998 in the University Gym.

The 49ers played much of the second half with four substitutes, including Winbush. The 6-foot-8 sophomore from Crenshaw High, who had been averaging two points a game, made six of seven shots from the field.

Nervous in some of his previous appearances, Winbush said he felt relaxed Saturday night.

“The longer I was out there, my confidence grew,” Winbush said.

He made a layup, a three-point shot and a dunk on a fast break to spark a 49er surge late in the first half. Then, soon after entering the game in the second half, he made a three-pointer and a baseline jumper to extend a 54-49 lead to 59-52.

Tyrone Mitchell and Troy Joseph each scored 14 points for the 49ers. Kevin Cutler had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

“They’re difficult to play because you can’t key on a specific guy,” Utah State Coach Kohn Smith said. “That’s the strength of their team.”

Long Beach improved to 18-7 overall and 10-6 in the Big West Conference.

Utah State (14-13, 8-8) cut the lead to 59-56 on a three-point basket by Matt Barnes with 12 minutes left.

But then the 49er reserves took over. Bobby Sears made two steals, and Winbush, Mike Masucci and Frankie Edwards all made baskets. Joseph, the lone starter on the court, also scored and the 49ers were suddenly ahead, 69-58, with 8:50 left.

“It wasn’t an easy 18th victory,” said Long Beach Joe Harrington. “Our inability to make free throws (10 of 27) made the game closer than I thought it should have been.”

But the 49ers’ half-court defense made big plays, especially in the second half, to stop Utah State’s momentum.

“They always seem to get two or three quick baskets because of their quickness and skills,” Smith said. “We gave them too many layups.”

The Aggies, who were led by Kendall Youngblood’s 22 points, made 19 turnovers and the 49ers had eight steals.

After the game, fans chanted, “Don’t go, Joe” at Harrington, who is said to be under consideration to become coach at the University of Miami.