49ers Snap Losing Streak

If the Long Beach State men’s basketball team needed an ego boost following a pair of lopsided losses, Cal State Monterey Bay provided it.

Long Beach, powered by a decisive size advantage and a quick-handed defense, pummeled Monterey, 81-46, Monday night at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

Freshman forward Chris Jenkins scored 21 points and senior center Travis Reed had 13 points and 11 rebounds to pace the 49ers, who were coming off a 100-87 loss to Charlotte and a 97-67 loss to Oregon in their last two games.

Monterey, a National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics team in its third year, offered little indication that the Long Beach losing streak would reach three.

“Anytime you win a game, no matter who you play, it gives you something positive to build on,” Long Beach Coach Wayne Morgan said. “In games like these, of course you’re playing the opponent, but mostly you’re playing against your own potential.”

Long Beach (3-2) had perhaps its best game of the year, statistically. The 49ers had a season-high 18 steals and forced 29 turnovers. They outrebounded Monterey, 37-22, and had 10 players score.

Morgan said his rotation, which included using nine players for 10 minutes or more, was designed after Saturday’s loss to Charlotte.

“After our last game, we talked for a long, long time,” Morgan said. “We figured that some guys were tired because they were in there too many minutes. The thing is, when you play that many guys, you have to make sure everybody is on the same page.”

Monday night, they appeared to be.

Long Beach, which never trailed, had its way with Monterey inside as well as outside.

Jenkins made all four of his three-point attempts, making him five for five this season, and the team made nine of 18 from that range.

Reed was six for nine in the post. All of the 49ers’ points were either from inside the key, three-point baskets or free throws.

Monterey (2-4) played without leading scorer Stanley Thorne, who had a toe injury. The Otters were led by Rocky Stereo, who had 11 points.