Long Beach State Uses Late Run to Beat Pacific

Guards Ramel Lloyd and Ron Johnson struggled early but powered a second-half surge that lifted Long Beach State to a 76-66 victory Thursday over Pacific at Stockton.

Johnson, who was scoreless in the opening half, scored six of the 49ers’ first eight points in the second half.

That included a layup that broke a 41-41 tie and put Long Beach State, 18-4 overall and 10-1 in the Big West Conference, ahead to stay.

Johnson then scored eight straight points to fuel a 21-7 run that knocked Pacific (10-13, 5-6) behind, 62-48, with 11:49 remaining.

The 49ers, winning for the 16th time in their last 17 games, clinched a spot in the Big West postseason tournament and stayed comfortably ahead in the Western Division.

Forward Antrone Lee paced the 49ers with 15 points. Lloyd added 13, 11 in the second half.

For Pacific, guard Clay McKnight scored 21 points and center Mike Preston added 18 points and seven rebounds.

McKnight, the NCAA free-throw percentage leader, had made 62 of his 63 attempts this season before missing with 10:56 to go in the opening half. He has made 67 of 69 this season.