49ers’ McNaull Steps Up to Beat Nevada

Bit by bit, signs appeared in the last few weeks that Long Beach State center Joe McNaull was working on something special--even during a rocky stretch for the 49ers.

He revealed the finished product Wednesday night as he led Long Beach to a 69-64 Big West Conference victory over Nevada in front of 5,721 at the Lawlor Events Center.

McNaull, a transfer from San Diego State, had 18 points and 12 rebounds as Long Beach (5-4, 1-1 in the Big West) broke its three-game losing streak.

“I know I can play,” said McNaull, who blocked three shots. “I played hard (Monday night in an 82-71 loss to Nebraska) and I used that game as a steppingstone. I came out and played the same way (against Nevada).”

Long Beach rallied from a nine-point deficit with 17 minutes 47 seconds left to play. The 49ers outscored the Wolf Pack (6-6, 2-2), 29-10, in the next 12:51 to take a commanding 64-54 lead. Consecutive baskets by McNaull in that stretch helped increased Long Beach’s lead to 58-54 with 8:59 to go.

“To be successful, we have to keep the score in the low 70s and take advantage of our inside people,” Long Beach Coach Seth Greenberg said. “We’d be foolish not to take advantage of Joe and the things he can do for us. That’s what we did.”

The 49ers shot 48.2%, their best performance in four games. The Wolf Pack shot 49% but committed 21 turnovers.

“Their defense took control of the game,” Nevada Coach Pat Foster said. “They put the ball inside and that hurt us.”

Forward Mike Atkinson, who missed the 49ers’ last game, played despite a sore left foot and helped spark Long Beach with 10 points in 27 minutes. His reverse slam with 5:19 remaining gave the 49ers a 62-54 lead.

The Wolf Pack, however, had one run left.

Consecutive three-pointers by center/forward Faron Hand and guard Brian Green and a shot along the baseline by guard Shawn Pughsley cut Long Beach’s lead to 66-64 with 55 seconds left. But 49er guard Everett Ratleff was fouled by Pughsley with 17 seconds left and calmly made two free throws to end the threat.

Hand led the Wolf Pack with 16 points. Green had 13 and guard Eathan O’Bryant had 12 points and eight assists.

The Wolf Pack trailed only once in the first half and led, 39-34, at halftime. Nevada had few problems with the 49ers’ defense to that point, shooting 56%.

O’Bryant had 12 points and five assists in the half and Hand scored nine points. The Wolf Pack started well, taking a 9-2 lead 2:05 into the game on an uncontested shot by O’Bryant in the lane.