Long Beach State hit just enough free throws and the 49ers made just enough defensive stops down the stretch to hang on for the 68-61 victory over the Pacific Tigers tonight.
So ... after a 15-15 regular season that was a nice illustration of "mediocre", Coach Dan Monson's team is just a win over UC Santa Barbara away of reach the NCAA Tournament.
Here are some post-game reactions (well beyond my Press-Telegram deadline):
Monson: "I'm proud of our guys; our effort level was very extreme today -- almost to a fault (at times). We got a little fatigued in the second half (when the Tigers mounted a comeback that trimmed a 16-point deficit to three points). But our guys hung in there. We weren't perfect but we survived and advanced, and will be 0-0 again tomorrow. We're in position to accomplish our goal at the start of the season."
Sophomore point guard Casper Ware (a career-high 22 points with six assists, four rebounds and five steals): (on the team's defensive effort) "We just tried to hug their shooters. and Larry (Anderson) would come down for the doubles (on the post players). We played with a lot of energy and everyone did a great job of rotating (defensively)."
Sophomore wing Larry Anderson (14 points, four rebounds, two rebounds and two blocked shots): "We're very confident right now. A month ago we were down and playing with no energy. But we're peaking now."
UOP Coach Bob Thomason: "I thought Long Beach played great defense. And when the game got questionable, Ware did some tremendous things. I think Long Beach matches up pretty well with Santa Barbara and will have a great chance. It should be a great game."
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