Long Beach State Woes Continue in 69-56 Loss

Long Beach State wasn’t counting on a slow start to the basketball season. But that, so far, is what’s happening.

A 69-56 defeat to San Jose State at Long Beach on Saturday dropped the 49ers to 2-5. There are three nonconference games remaining. But there are still some things the 49ers have to fix before Big West Conference play begins.

Long Beach State knows there will be other games where their lack of size limits their rebounding -- San Jose State had a 42-37 advantage -- and ability to score inside. But the 49ers also have to understand when the three-point shot is not working (two for 19) and when to be patient. In scoring their fewest points this season, the 49ers shot 36.2% to San Jose’s 43.9%, and had only five assists on their 21 baskets.

Kevin Houston led the 49ers with 16 points, and Aaron Nixon had 13.

“After today’s performance, we’re not as good as we have been, and we’re not as good as we’re going to be,” Coach Larry Reynolds said. “This was a disappointing performance for us, but is not something we can’t come back from.”

The Spartans (4-5), who got 17 points from Alex Elam, and 12 points and 10 rebounds from reserve Menelik Barbary, ended a couple of streaks. San Jose State had not defeated Long Beach State since Jan. 26, 1991, dropping 10 in a row. The Spartans also ended the 49ers’ eight-game winning streak at home.

“For us winning on the road was more important,” first-year Coach George Nessman said. “One of the things we’ve been telling our guys is the good teams win some games on the road. And we have to prove we’re a good team.”

-- Mike Terry

San Francisco 93, Cal State Fullerton 91 -- The Titans (4-2) blew a 19-point lead and the Dons (4-5), who never led in regulation, won the title game of their tournament.

Bobby Brown gave Fullerton an 80-77 lead with a layup but the Dons tied the score, 80-80, on Armando Surratt’s three-point basket with seven seconds left in regulation.

Jamaal Brown had a game-high 39 points for Fullerton and Dommanic Ingerson scored 23 points, including eight in overtime, for San Francisco.

Brown opened the game with seven points and pushed the Titans to a 9-0 lead before San Francisco scored after nearly four minutes.

Fullerton made a 12-1 run late in the first half and led, 42-29, at halftime.

Eastern Washington 85, UC Riverside 70 -- The host Highlanders (0-6) could not take advantage of 30 turnovers and lost their 10th in a row dating to last season.

Rodney Stuckey scored 30 points and Kellen Williams had 17 for the Eagles (4-3), who won their third game in a row.

Rickey Porter led Riverside with 24 points and five steals, but the Highlanders shot 39.1% from the field. The Eagles, who used a 16-5 run in the second half to pull away, shot 58.5%.

Colorado State 71, Pepperdine 56 -- The Waves (1-6) shot 29% from the field at Fort Collins, Colo., and lost their fourth consecutive game.

Michael Gerrity led Pepperdine with 17 points and Tashaan Forehan-Kelly scored 12.

Corey Lewis had 16 points, and Jason Smith had 16 points and eight rebounds and blocked five shots to lead the Rams (7-1).