Long Beach State’s McNaull Dominates New Mexico State

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 49ers’ starting center, came Jan. 5 in a 20-point loss to New Mexico State in which he played four minutes and didn’t score. As tough as that was, though, he never stopped trying, believing the rewards would come.

McNaull was correct, and the payoff continued for the 49ers Saturday night as he scored a team-high 21 points in an 87-79 victory over New Mexico State in the semifinals of the Big WestConference tournament in front of 4,450 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Third-seeded Long Beach (19-9) plays Nevada, which defeated UC Irvine, 88-69, for the tournament championship today at 12:05 p.m. 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,” Coach Seth Greenberg said, joking. “Why didn’t I play him? Stupidity.”

McNaull dominated play inside, making all nine of his shots--including several emphatic dunks. His clutch play late enabled the 49ers to defeat the Aggies (23-9) for the first time in three meetings this season.

“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 about two minutes left and the momentum swinging toward New Mexico State. After two free throws by forward 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 and a comfort zone.

“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 left after a dunk by McNaull. A turnaround jumper by forward Crafton Ferguson gave the Aggies their final lead with 1:59 left.

“It’s hell rebounding against them,” O’Kelley said. “They can all jump out of the gym.”

Long Beach minimized the damage of the Aggies’ rebounding prowess by making 64.3% of its shots in the first half, 56.5% in the second and 60.8% overall. The Aggies made only 40.6% of their field-goal attempts.

New Mexico State got back into the game with a 7-0 spurt in only 27 seconds that cut Long Beach’s lead to 61-59 with 12:59 left. But Long Beach made the plays down the stretch. Most of them involved McNaull and O’Kelley, who scored 18 points and made three of six three-pointers.

“Joe and Terrance were both great,” Greenberg said.

Long Beach jumped to a 26-14 lead and led, 49-40, at halftime because of the play of reserve guard Eric Brown. Brown made three of four three-pointers in the first half, connected on four of five in the game and scored 14 points.

“My role is to come in and give an offensive spark,” Brown said. “I have to fill that void on offense.”

He did his job and then some, Greenberg said.

“Eric hit a lot of big shots,” Greenberg said. “At one point, I was like a fan watching him out there.”

Forward Juaquin Hawkins scored 12 and limited high-scoring Aggie forward Thomas Wyatt to six points. Hawkins’ defense forced Wyatt to commit a charge with one minute left and Long Beach ahead, 82-79.

“Hawk’s ‘D’ was sensational,” Greenberg said.

Point guard Troy Brewer led the Aggies with 23 points and six assists, but also committed six turnovers. His performance typified McCarthy’s frustration.

“For whatever reason, we just didn’t seem to play like we were into the game,” he said. “Long Beach seemed to be more hungry than we were.”