Long Beach Blows Chance Against Fresno, 107-97

Cal State Long Beach was left with one last chance to clinch a spot in the Big West tournament after blowing a nine-point lead and losing to Fresno State, 107-97, in the university gym Thursday night.

To get into the eight-team tournament, the 49ers (10-16 overall and 6-11 in league) must defeat Pacific Saturday night. If they lose, they can get in only if San Jose State loses at UC Santa Barbara.

Fresno (12-14, 7-10) clinched a tournament spot with a balanced scoring attack that was led by Carl Ray Harris’ 28 points and Tod Bernard’s 18.

Bernard, who picked up three fouls in the first three minutes and sat out the rest of the first half, scored 17 points--nine on three-of-four three-point shooting--in the second half.

Fresno shot 66.7% from the field in the second half.

Wilbert Hooker scored 18 points, Dimitri Lambrecht had 17 and Dave Barnett added 15 as the Bulldog starters had 97 points.

Long Beach appeared to have taken control of the game midway in the second half when they scored eight points in a row to take an 82-73 lead.

But the Bulldogs went on a 12-1 run to take an 87-85 lead.

Kevin Cutler led Long Beach with 20 points and 14 rebounds.