Coach Finds Solace in Long Beach Loss

This is probably as good as it can get for Long Beach State, meaning things could at least be entertaining the rest of the way.

Long Beach, for the most part, executed its offense smoothly, played decent defense and rebounded as if it cared against North Texas--things it definitely didn’t do in its last game. The effort was applauded by Coach Wayne Morgan and enabled 2,026 at the Super Pit to enjoy a Sunday afternoon of college hoops.

But that wasn’t enough to keep Long Beach from losing another road game. Long Beach lost this one, 78-69, in the heart of Texas, but the scene has been played out all across the Big West Conference map.

The 49ers dropped to 7-11 overall, and 3-5 in the conference, in the process blowing an opportunity to take over sole possession of second place in the Western Division. The culprit this time wasn’t an individual or a bad group effort, as in their 84-64 loss Thursday at New Mexico State.

A few breakdowns over a two -minute stretch in clutch-time caused the 49ers’ road record to sink to 1-9. And the miscues made Morgan’s season-long headache stronger.

“I told the kids in the locker room that I was very pleased with their effort and that everyone contributed to a good college basketball game,” Morgan said. “I don’t look at it as a game we lost--I look at it as a game North Texas won.

“They made some big shots and we made some crucial mistakes. We just have to stop making those mistakes.”

The game was up for grabs with under three minutes remaining. North Texas (7-11, 2-6) reached out and grabbed it with an 11-2 run that ended a six-game losing streak.

With the score, 62-62, Eagle forward T.J. Atkins made a three-pointer with 2:33 left. Twenty seconds later, Atkins was fouled by 49er point guard Tommie Davis and made two free throws to push the lead to 67-62.

Long Beach needed a basket in a big way, and looked to guard James Cotton. North Texas, though, clamped down defensively, and Cotton lost the ball out of bounds with 1:45 left.

A three-pointer by guard Chad Elstun gave North Texas a 70-62 lead with 1:34 to go. Long Beach forward D’Cean Bryant, who set personal highs with 12 points and 11 rebounds, cut the lead to 70-64 with a layup.

But North Texas had the final answer, sealing the game when reserve forward Chuck Thrash threw a length-of-the-court pass to Atkins who made a layup and was fouled by Bryant. Atkins completed the three-point play, North Texas had a 73-64 lead with 1:04 left and Long Beach was done.

“Coach [Tim Jankovich] told us that their point guard [Davis] would bite on a fake,” said Thrash, who had 16 points and five assists. “I faked like I was going to throw short and then I did my ‘Troy Aikman’ and went long.”

“Yeah, and I was Michael Irvin,” said Atkins, who led the Eagles with 18 points.

Despite the loss, Long Beach played one of its best games either on the road or in the Pyramid. Long Beach outrebounded North Texas, 43-26, including 18-7 on the offensive end. Center Ike Nwankwo led Long Beach with 12 rebounds. Nwankwo played 35 minutes because forward/center Brian Yankelevitz aggravated a groin injury in practice Saturday and played only two minutes Sunday.

“They played some good defense on us but, on the other hand, they made some big, big shots,” said guard James Cotton, who scored a game-high 24 points. “We all played hard and we feel good about that, but they made more plays than we did.”