Long Beach State’s Charge Falls Short

RENO — Long Beach State had a chance to make it to the Big West Conference tournament title game for the first time since 1995 Friday night, but the 49ers let it slip away.

Boise State turned back a Long Beach charge at the start of the second half, and went on a 71-58 victory at the Lawlor Center.

Forward Roberto Bergersen, the conference player of the year, led the Broncos with 19 points. Freshman forward Abe Jackson, scoreless in the first half, scored 18 in the second half.

The victory advanced Boise State (21-7) to tonight’s championship game against New Mexico State. The Aggies won the other semifinal, defeating UC Santa Barbara.

Long Beach finished 13-15, the 49ers’ third consecutive losing season since Wayne Morgan took over as coach. Morgan went into the tournament with his job status in doubt, and Athletic Director Bill Shumard said a decision on Morgan’s status will be made next week.

Long Beach gave Boise State a scare in the second half.

The 49ers scored 13 consecutive points at the start of the second half to overcome Boise State’s four-point halftime lead. Antrone Lee scored nine points in the surge and Long Beach led, 36-27, before a basket by Richard Morgan broke the streak.

Boise State, however, came back to regain the lead at 45-44 on a basket by Jackson, and went ahead 47-44 on Jackson’s two free throws, a run of 11 consecutive points.

Guard Ramel Lloyd, who had scored 20 or more points in six of the 49ers last seven games, was held scoreless in the first half and finished with only seven points. Lee lead Long Beach with 19 points.

New Mexico State 78, UC Santa Barbara 67--The Aggies (22-9) won their sixth consecutive game, and ended the Gauchos’ strong late-season run. Santa Barbara (15-13) lost its first eight games of the season.

The Gauchos shot only 34.4% from the field against the strong Aggie defense. “We knew we needed to play better defense than we did in the first game, and we did that,” Aggie Coach Lou Henson said.

New Mexico State was led by point guard William Keys, who scored 17 points to go with 10 rebounds. Senior forward Josh Merrill led the Gauchos with 18 points.