BIG WEST BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : McNaull Pays Off for Long Beach

Playing little and contributing even less at the season’s start, Joe McNaull often sat frustrated and confused on the Long Beach State bench.

The low point for McNaull, the 49er starting center, came in a 98-78 loss to New Mexico State on Jan. 5 in which he played four minutes and didn’t score. As tough as that was, though, he never stopped trying.

The payoff continued for the 49ers Saturday night when he scored a team-high 21 points in an 87-79 victory over the Aggies in the semifinals of the Big West Conference tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Third-seeded Long Beach (19-9) plays Nevada, an 88-69 winner over UC Irvine in the other semifinal, for the tournament championship today at noon. The winner receives the Big West’s automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.

“The only person who guarded Joe McNaull (earlier in the season) was Seth Greenberg,” joked 49er Coach Greenberg. “Why didn’t I play him? Stupidity.”

McNaull dominated play inside, making all nine of his shots--including several emphatic dunks. His play late in the game enabled the 49ers to defeat New Mexico State (23-9) for the first time in three games.

“This is the first championship I’ve ever played for in my life,” McNaull said. “It’s a great situation to be in.”

McNaull’s best came with the momentum swinging toward New Mexico State. After two free throws by Thomas Wyatt put the Aggies ahead, 77-76, with 2 minutes 28 seconds remaining, McNaull took over.

He scored six of the game’s next eight points. With 1:13 left, guard Rasul Salahuddin threw a perfect pass to McNaull, who took one giant step from the left of the key and dunked. The play gave Long Beach an 82-79 lead.

“Certainly, Joe hurt us tonight,” New Mexico State Coach Neil McCarthy said. “Joe is a great player and he played really well.”

Helped by 18 offensive rebounds and some timely three-point shooting, the more-athletic Aggies erased a 59-47 49er lead with 15:13 remaining after a dunk by McNaull. A turnaround jump shot by Crafton Ferguson gave the Aggies their final lead with 1:59 left.

Long Beach led, 49-40, at halftime, thanks to the strong play of reserve guard Eric Brown. Brown made three of four three-point shots in the first half, connected on four of five in the game and scored 14 points.

Terrance O’Kelley scored 18 points and forward Juaquin Hawkins scored 12 and played well defensively.

Troy Brewer led the Aggies with 23 points and six assists, but also committed six turnovers.