SOUTHLAND ROUNDUP

Utah State 69, Long Beach State 55--In a game of push-and-shove, Kevin Rice and Dave Isaacson shoved the 49ers out of the Spectrum and into the snow before 7,811 at Logan, Utah.

Rice, who is 6 feet 3, took an alley-oop pass from Marcus Saxon and dunked the ball over Long Beach State’s 7-1 Andrew Betts early in the second half to make a statement in a victory in which the Aggies (11-4 overall, 2-0 Big West) didn’t use a player taller than the 6-7 Isaacson.

Rice scored 18 points, and all five of his baskets came on layups or follow-ups of missed shots against the much taller 49er front line. He also had seven rebounds, three on the offensive end.

“We’re one of the smallest teams in the conference,” Rice said, “but if we play our A-game, we’ll be fine.”

Utah State made 27 of 33 free throws in a whistle-derby in which 47 fouls were called.

Isaacson scored 11 points and had seven rebounds. Betts led Long Beach (5-9, 0-2) with 18 points and 11 rebounds, but had only one on the offensive end.

Justin Jones converted a three-point play midway through the first half to give the Aggies a 17-14 lead and trigger an 11-4 run in which Utah State took control for good.

“We’ve got to get better,” said Morgan after the 49ers’ third loss in a row. “We’ve got to get tougher, and we’ve got to play harder.”