49ers Make It Memorable for Norfolk St.

Norfolk State was a runaway train for a half Tuesday night at the Pyramid, and Long Beach State waved as the Spartans sped past.

Then Norfolk State was as cold as a winter morning in Virginia, but Long Beach State did little to heat things up.

The 49ers (1-2) did nothing to solve their shooting difficulties in a 72-53 loss to Norfolk State (1-3) before 1,678 in a game that Long Beach State Coach Wayne Morgan said “bothered me more than any game we’ve played so far.

“Giving up second and third shots is driving me crazy.”

The 49ers were outrebounded, 44-29, and defensively had trouble handling guards Damian Woolfolk and Kenny Brown, who had 21 and 15 points, respectively.

Those two led the Spartans--newcomers to Division I--to victory in a game in which they had 29 turnovers.

It also gave Norfolk State a victory to take away from California after losses to Cal State Fullerton and Pepperdine.

The Spartans took charge with a 9-1 lead, stretching it to 20-6 and eventually 31-10 with 6:46 to play in the first half.

Long Beach State contributed to its own problems with one-for-10 shooting to start the game.

The Spartans led, 43-21, at halftime, but the 49ers opened the second half with a 9-0 run, fed by three Norfolk State turnovers.

The Spartans righted themselves and took a 58-39 lead on Sean Blackwell’s two free throws with 10:01 to play.

Norfolk State did not score for the next 7 minutes 25 seconds, but lost only eight points from its lead. From there, it was garbage time, with the Spartans making 10 of 12 free throws in the final 2:36.

Long Beach State was led by Antrone Lee’s 16 points, 12 in the second half, and Quincy Nuckles’ 14.