Long Beach State won the first of two vital games last night, defeating Cal Poly SLO before visiting UCSB this Saturday to end the regular conference schedule.  The 49ers shot just 41.7% in the 63-60 victory, but won the battles of rebounds, turnovers and free throws to defeat the Mustangs.

Long Beach also benefited from a solid performance by senior Donovan Morris, who shot 5-11 from the field for a team-high 17 points in 26 minutes off the bench.  Don’t call it a comeback, but Morris’ 17 points were his highest single-game total since mid-January, after battling a stress fracture in his foot.  Three other 49ers scored in double figures, while Poly’s Titus Shelton led the Mustangs with 15 and five boards.

The Mustangs had their chances as the contest remained close from beginning to end, but Morris scored six points in the final minute – including four free throws in the last 12 seconds to seal the game for Long Beach State.

The win clinches a bye into the Big West Tournament semifinals for the 49ers, who still have a chance to win a share of the regular season conference championship.  If Long Beach State defeats a hot UC Santa Barbara team on Saturday, and Pacific defeats Cal State Northridge, then Long Beach and Northridge would tie for first place.

Santa Barbara has won six of their last seven games, but will host the 49ers this Saturday without guards James Powell and Nick Quick.  Powell, the Gauchos’ leading three-point shooter, was averaging 9.6 points on the season.  The 49ers defeated UCSB in early January, 76-64.