TONIGHT

MEN

Long Beach State (9-16, 5-9) at Cal State Northridge (8-14, 7-6), Channel 56, 7, KRLA (870)--With three victories in five games, the 49ers are beginning to resemble the team that was expected to contend for the Big West title. Forward Travis Reed has averaged 20.6 points in the last five games. The Matadors fell into fifth place after their home loss to UC Irvine. Guard Markus Carr has a sprained big toe on his right foot but is expected to start.

*

UC Irvine (18-7, 11-3) at Pacific (14-9, 6-7), 7, KUCI-FM (88.9)--The Anteaters are coming off a key road win at Northridge to begin a difficult stretch to end the regular season. Guard Jerry Green has scored at least 20 points in 12 games this season. Stanislav Zuzak, demoted from the starting lineup, emerged from an offensive slump with 10 points in 21 minutes against Northridge. Reserve forward J.R. Christ broke his nose in practice Monday and is wearing a protective mask.

*

Cal Poly SLO (14-7, 8-5) at UC Santa Barbara (14-8, 8-5), 7--The winner will take over third place and keep its slim title hopes alive. The Mustangs are one of the conference’s hottest teams, winning five of six since losing to Santa Barbara on Jan. 19. Center Varnie Dennis averages 15.5 points and forward Brandon Beeson averages 12.2 for Cal Poly. Santa Barbara has won the first two of a three-game homestand. The Gauchos lead the nation in field goal percentage defense, with opponents shooting 36.7%.

*

Cal State Fullerton (4-18, 1-12) at Idaho (8-15, 5-9), 7--Fullerton lost at Utah State for the 18th consecutive time, 60-45, at Logan on Thursday. Fullerton hopes for better luck against an Idaho team that lost to UC Riverside, 67-56, on Thursday.

*

UC Riverside (8-13, 5-8) at Utah State (19-4, 11-3), 7, KPRO (1570)--Riverside has a two-game winning streak. The Highlanders beat Fullerton last Saturday and defeated Idaho, 67-56, on Thursday as Lloyd Cook scored a season-high 16 points. Utah State remains tied with UC Irvine for first place in the Big West. Center Jeremy Vague scored 14 points in the Aggies’ 60-45 victory over Fullerton on Thursday.

*

Loyola Marymount (9-16, 2-9) at Portland (5-20, 1-10), 7, KXLU (88.9)--Loyola’s losing streak grew to eight games with a 72-51 West Coast Conference loss to No. 8 Gonzaga on Thursday. Portland is coming off an 83-77 defeat by Pepperdine. Casey Frandsen made seven three-point baskets for Portland and finished with 28 points.

Gary Klein and Eric Stephens

*

WOMEN

UCLA (7-17, 3-12) at Arizona State (20-7, 11-5), 7, KACD (850), KEWS (1350)--The Sun Devils moved back into second place in the Pacific 10 after defeating USC on Thursday, and have posted consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time since 1981-82 and 1982-83. UCLA guard Whitney Jones has averaged 18.6 points in her last three games, including a career-high 24 in Thursday’s loss at Arizona.

*

USC (13-11, 9-6) at Arizona (13-12, 9-7), 2--The Trojans may have lost their chance at second place in the conference by losing to Arizona State. Now they have to worry about being overtaken by the sixth-place Wildcats, who defeated USC at the Sports Arena on Jan. 19. Trojan forward Rachel Woodard, who had 14 points against the Sun Devils, continues to make a strong push for the conference freshman of the year award.

Mike Terry