Long Beach State Loses Exhibition Basketball Opener

It wasn’t a sizzling start, but who really cares?

Long Beach State lost its exhibition opener, 80-78, to the Upstate Developmental Basketball League All-Stars Tuesday night at the Pyramid. The 49ers played without three key players who were either injured, suspended or ineligible.

“This isn’t a big deal,” said center Brian Yankelevitz, who had 16 points and six rebounds before fouling out late in the game. “We were missing [guard] James [Cotton], [forward] Marcus [Johnson] and [center] Ike [Nwankwo]. Once we get those guys back and everyone starts playing together, I think we can be a really good team.”

Forward Akeli Jackson had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Long Beach. The All-Stars were led by guard Benard Blunt, who had 19 points and seven assists. The All-Stars shot 59.3% in the second half and 52.4% overall.