CS Long Beach Puts Down Howard in a Flurry, 95-62 : Basketball: The 49ers are off to their best start since 1979 after winning fifth game without a loss. Harris scores season-high 31 points.

In the last two games, Seth Greenberg, Cal State Long Beach coach, became increasingly concerned that the 49ers weren’t ready to play at tip-off against NAIA teams they eventually overwhelmed in their campus gym.

Greenberg had no such worries Wednesday night as Long Beach opened both halves with a flurry during a 95-62 victory over visiting Howard, a Division I school.

The 49ers raced to an 18-9 lead in the first eight minutes of the game, shooting seven for 11 from the field, and as a result, improved to 5-0, their best start since 1979.

Long Beach led, 42-37, on two free throws by reserve forward Terrance O’Kelley with 3:40 left in the half, and led, 46-31, at halftime.

The 49ers opened the second half by outscoring Howard, 24-11, to take a 70-42 lead with 11:27 remaining. Long Beach led by as much as 36 late in the game.

“The kids were really pumped up,” Greenberg said. “I think we played with more intensity because the level of competition was better and it made us concentrate more.”

It was far from a pretty contest as the level of play often seemed more suited for a pick-up game. The teams committed 59 fouls and 38 turnovers. Three players fouled out and four technical fouls were called.

Long Beach made 37 of 45 free throws, Howard 20 of 34. The 49ers outrebounded Howard, 43-31.

Senior guard Lucious Harris of Long Beach led all scorers with a season-high 31 points. Sophomore forward Sean Turley scored 16 points for Howard (2-6), which lost two of its three games during a six-day Western trip.

Long Beach, which departs on a four-game trip Tuesday, has won 16 consecutive home games.