Long Beach, Cal Meet for First Time

Tonight’s National Invitation Tournament first-round game between California and Long Beach State features teams that have never played each other and did not exactly figure to be here.

The 49ers, whose 24-5 record was the third best in school history, were on track for an NCAA tournament slot. The 49ers dominated the Big West Conference’s Western Division with a 15-1 record, ran off a 15-game winning streak and have won 22 of their last 24 games.

But that NCAA gravy train was derailed by New Mexico State, which beat Long Beach, 89-84, in the semifinals of the Big West tournament.

When Cal defeated Clemson in last year’s National Invitation Tournament title game, 61-60--the school’s first postseason championship since the 1959 NCAA title--the Bears were a senior dominated team fresh off probation. But this season’s 16-14 squad is the youngest in school history. Nine of the 12 players are underclassmen. Five of Cal’s top six scorers are freshmen.

And a seventh-place finish in the Pacific 10 Conference did not guarantee Cal a postseason berth.

But Cal got the nod over USC despite the Trojans finishing ahead of them in Pac-10 play. The Bears beat the Trojans twice during the season, which NIT officials said gave Cal the edge.

Long Beach State is making its fifth NIT appearance and first since the 1991-92 season. The 49ers are led by 6-foot-11 senior center Mate Milisa, who averaged 18.8 points and 7.1 rebounds.

Milisa is supported by junior guard Ramel Lloyd, who has averaged 18 points in his last 13 games, and junior forward James Williams, who averages 12.1 points and 7.2 rebounds but is prone to foul trouble.

Junior forward Sean Lampley leads Cal in scoring (16.3) and rebounding (7.1).

Tuesday’s games

Craig Dawson tied his career high with 19 points as Wake Forest (18-14) defeated Vanderbilt, 83-68, at Nashville, Tenn. Dan Langhi led the Commodores (19-11) with 20 points. . . . Damien Wilkins scored 18 points and North Carolina State (18-12) held off Tulane, 64-60, at Raleigh, N.C. Dylan Osean led the Green Wave (20-11) with 14 points.

* NIT SCHEDULE, PAGE 9