Russell Leads CS Long Beach in Exhibition

Bryon Russell scored 30 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as Cal State Long Beach defeated the Melbourne Tigers, 98-91, in an exhibition basketball game Tuesday night at Long Beach.

Rod Hannibal added 21 points and Lucious Harris 19 for the 49ers, who with a victory in their first game of the season extended their unbeaten streak in University Gym to 13 games.

Melbourne, which lost to UCLA by 12 points Monday night, never led against the 49ers. They had tied the score, 74-74, with 10:31 remaining, but Long Beach opened an eight-point lead and the Tigers were unable to threaten thereafter.

Andrew Gaze, who was 13 of 15 from the free-throw line, led Melbourne with 40 points. Stephen Whitehead added 21 and Steven Lunardon 17 for the Tigers, who resume their tour of the United States Thursday night at San Diego State.