Long Beach Shuts Down Fullerton, 91-69

Long Beach State got off to a fast start and defeated Cal State Fullerton, 91-69, Saturday night in a Big West Conference game at Long Beach.

The 49ers (10-5, 5-3) played their best first half this season. They made eight of their first 14 shots, refused to allow the Titans to get low-post baskets and held a 21-12 lead after a basket from center Mike Atkinson with 9:13 gone in the first half.

Chris St. Clair of Fullerton (4-13, 2-7) made one of two free throws, then Tim Caviezel made two free throws and a basket for Long Beach. Rod Hannibal followed with two free throws and a three-pointer and Long Beach led, 30-13, with 7:50 left in the half.

Fullerton, which shot 53% in upsetting UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, suffered through a terrible shooting slump in the first half. The Titans made only three of their first 16 shots and six of 25 overall in the first half. They kept Long Beach from making it a total blowout by making 10 consecutive free throws to open the game and held a 20-15 advantage in rebounding in the first half.

Despite that, Long Beach stretched its lead to 44-27 and in the second half led by as many as 22 points. Fullerton made a few runs, getting within nine points with 4:20 to go.