Hannibal Back Doing Job for 49ers

Rod Hannibal spent the first month of the Big West Conference season in the dog house, but since he regained his starting job six games ago, the senior forward has been a key for Long Beach State.

He made a key three-point basket with less than 90 seconds remaining Saturday night as the 49ers defeated San Jose State, 73-66, before 1,593 in the campus gym.

San Jose State (12-9, 8-5), which suffered only its second loss in its last nine games, led, 33-24, near the end of the first half and by six points at intermission.

But Hannibal, who was benched in early January for academic violations, scored five points as Long Beach (12-7, 6-5) took a 44-42 lead. The score remained close the rest of the way; the lead changed hands or the score was tied another 12 times.

A turnaround jumper by Terrance O’Kelley with 3:18 to go gave Long Beach the lead for good, 63-62. Then Hannibal, who scored 17 points, launched the three-point basket.

“That was the back-breaker,” San Jose State Coach Stan Morrison said of Hannibal’s three-pointer.