CS Long Beach Needs Rally to Stop Northridge, 76-67

Cal State Long Beach made 15 of 18 free throws in the final 5:40 of the game Wednesday night and came from behind to defeat visiting Cal State Northridge, 76-67, in a nonconference game in the University Gymnasium.

Byron Russell had 19 points and Bobby Sears added 14 for CS Long Beach. Keith Gibbs scored 18, James Morris had 12 and Ryan Martin scored 11 for the Matadors.

It was the eighth consecutive loss for Northridge (0-5), dating to last season. CS Long Beach (2-2) ended a two-game losing streak.

Northridge led, 63-57, with 5:40 to play when the 49ers took control at the free-throw line. Seven free throws by Sears, four by Russell and three by center Chris Tower were part of a 17-0 streak. The only field goal during the final 5:40 came on a baseline jumper from Lucious Harris with 4:48 remaining.

Northridge committed five turnovers in the stretch.

“I feel very disappointed that we self-destructed at that time,” Northridge Coach Pete Cassidy said.

Long Beach Coach Seth Greenberg credited the Matadors for outplaying the 49ers.

“To be quite honest, we were not ready to play,” he said. “I had two kids ask me before the game where the scouting report on Kansas was.”

CS Long Beach plays host to Kansas on Saturday night at the Long Beach Arena.

The 49ers opened the game by taking a 26-11 lead with 10:51 remaining in the first half. But the Matadors battled back and tied the score, 46-46, with 13:23 to play in the game.