CS Long Beach Hopes 20 is Enough

Now that it has won 20 games for the first time in 10 years, Cal State Long Beach believes it belongs in the NCAA tournament.

“There’s no doubt in my mind we deserve to go,” guard Tyrone Mitchell said after the 49ers defeated University of the Pacific, 80-75, in a Big West Conference game at the Spanos Center Sunday afternoon.

Mitchell, who had 10 points and seven assists, mentioned Long Beach’s 8-1 nonconference record, which included victories over Purdue and Texas. “I don’t think we should be penalized just because we play on the West Coast,” he said.

The 49ers, 20-7 overall and 12-6 in the Big West, ended the regular season with seven consecutive victories.

“This puts us in a lot better shape for an NCAA bid,” said Coach Joe Harrington. “We’re in there strong now.”

The 49ers, who finished fourth in the conference, will play fifth-place Utah State Friday afternoon in the Big West tournament at the Long Beach Arena.

Sunday’s game was close at the end because Long Beach missed the first shot of six one-and-one free-throw opportunities in the last 53 seconds.

After one of the misses, Pacific’s Dell Demps made a short jump shot with 30 seconds left to cut the lead to 78-75.

But after a timeout, Long Beach quickly broke Pacific’s press with four accurate passes, the last one from Troy Joseph to Kevin Cutler, who scored on a drive. Cutler then rebounded a shot by Demps to end the Tigers’ hopes.

Cutler led the 49ers with 18 points.

Demps scored a career-high 28 points for Pacific (14-13, 7-11).

The 49ers outscored the Tigers, 9-0, in a six-minute stretch late in the first half to take a 29-20 lead. They led at the half, 42-30.

Pacific came to within 52-48 in the second half, but then Mitchell took over. In less than two minutes, he drove for a basket, fed Darrell Faulkner for a layup, then spun around Demps for a short jump shot to give the 49ers a 58-50 cushion.