Long Beach Steps It Up in Victory : Basketball: The 49ers fill gap left by injured Russell in 71-60 victory over Texas Pan American.

Facing the first in a string of opponents it is expected to beat, Cal State Long Beach defeated winless Texas Pan American, 71-60, in a nonconference game before 856 in the University Gym Wednesday night.

The 49ers, who improved their record to 3-3, outscored Pan American, 16-2, during a five-minute burst early in the second half to extend a 41-34 lead to 57-36.

During that stretch, Rod Hannibal scored six points on two three-point shots, and Mike Atkinson scored five points. They had been counted on by Coach Seth Greenberg to help offset the absence of starting forward Bryon Russell. Russell, who broke his left hand in practice Tuesday, is expected to be sidelined at least three weeks.

“That one stretch I thought we played pretty good,” Greenberg said. “Rod stepped up and Mike stepped up.”

The 49ers were led in scoring by guard Lucious Harris, who had 17 points on eight-of-27 shooting. Harris also had five assists as the 49ers consistently worked the ball inside against the 0-6 Broncs.

“I thought he played his most complete game of the season,” Greenberg said of Harris.

Long Beach, which had been shooting 43% from the field, shot 49%, and 55% in the second half. Pan American shot only 41%.

The 49ers’ biggest lead was 23 points, 60-37, but Pan American cut it to 62-47 before Chris Tower made a turnaround jump shot and a three-point basket.

“We lost our focus and we can’t let that happen,” Greenberg said. “But I thought we played very well defensively.”

Pan American committed 23 turnovers, and the 49ers had 20 in the game that was sloppy for much of the first half.

Hannibal and Tower each had 13 points for the 49ers, Frankie Russell added 11 and Atkinson had nine. Hannibal also had a team-high seven rebounds.