The scene in the press conference was straight out of last season’s 6-24 disaster. Coach Dan Monson takes a seat, obsesses over the box score and lets it fly:
“We didn’t capitalize on it like I thought we could.”
“We really let blood get in the water on rebounds.”
“I was just really disappointed.”
But then, letting his guard down for just a moment, Monson lifts his head and smiles.
“I guess it’s a good sign for the program that a month into the season, I’m upset with a 20-point win,” he laughs.
Though there may not have been many in the locker room, there were plenty of smiles on the court during last night’s 80-61 victory over Pepperdine – the 49ers’ fourth straight win that moved their overall record to 4-2, and an undefeated 3-0 at home. After all, Long Beach State never had a winning record at any point last season, and a convincing win over a depleted Waves squad is an encouraging sign that this team is learning to win.
“I feel good right now,” said senior Donovan Morris, who led the 49ers with 20 points on 7-10 shooting from the field. “Four straight? I’m on Cloud Nine right now.”
A 6-2 record must be a dream come true for Morris, after having to endure so much losing last season, and he’s been getting plenty of help in his quest for redemption. Freshman point guard Casper Ware controlled the game from tip-off to final buzzer, scoring 15 points and adding eight assists – with just one turnover – in 23 minutes.
“I just tried to come out with some energy and set the tone for our team,” said Ware, who shot 6-7 from the field and 2-2 from beyond the arc. “They had to focus so much on Donovan and Stephan [Gilling] that the shots were just coming, and fortunately I knocked ‘em down”.
Monson had encouraging words for his floor leader, as well.
“Casper’s really growing into his role, and understanding what he needs to be successful at this level,” he said.
Ware guided the 49ers to an impressive 54.7% shooting from the field, including 52.2% from three-point range. Long Beach State was able to find fast break opportunities against an undermanned Pepperdine team, and employed an active pressing defense to push the pace.
“It created the tempo we wanted,” Monson said of the press. “We have athletes, and they’re young, and we got a couple of [steals] and then were trying to steal everything. It did create a tempo that we wanted, but we have to be more mature.”
Ware played active defense all night, notching five of the team’s nine steals. The 49ers also had six blocks, with Arturas Lazdauskas accounting for three of them. But that active defense also created problems with rebounding, as Long Beach State struggled to corral missed shots and allowed the Waves to capture 20 offensive rebounds. Pepperdine won the battle on the boards by a count of 40-34.
Long Beach State will look to ride its momentum – and improve its rebounding – this Saturday, kicking off a three-game road swing at the University of San Francisco.
“Weve got a lot of work to do,” said Ware, “But we’re going the right way.”
