Johnson scores 20 as Long Beach streak reaches four

Kejuan Johnson, sporting a mask to protect his broken nose, matched his career high of 20 points to help Long Beach State win its fourth straight game with a 76-67 victory Sunday at San Jose State.

Sterling Byrd added 16 points as the 49ers (6-4) won their sixth straight in San Jose, their 12th win out of their last 13 games against the Spartans overall. Aaron Nixon scored 15 and Kevin Houston had 14.

Menelik Barbary also duplicated his career high with 18 points to lead San Jose State (1-9), which lost its third consecutive game on the eve of a four-game trip, which includes a New Year’s Eve date with Duke. Devonte Thomas added 15 points and Jamon Hill had 12.

The 49ers opened the second half with a 13-2 run in the first four minutes to take a 48-31 lead.

The Spartans closed within 61-56 with 5:21 left, but that was as close as they got.

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UC Santa Barbara 74, San Francisco 69 -- Alex Harris scored 21 points, including the final four of a decisive 8-0 run late in the second half, to lead the Gauchos (7-2) at San Francisco for their third straight victory.

Alan Wiggins’ basket with 4:47 left had given San Francisco (4-7) a 63-60 lead when the Gauchos went on their clinching spurt. In the next three minutes, James Powell made two free throws, Cecil Brown a short jumper and Harris a pair of free throws and a lay-in to put the Gauchos ahead, 68-63.

Wiggins, who had 24 points, cut the margin to 68-66 with a three-point play with 39 seconds left, but UCSB maintained its margin by making six straight free throws.