As they have time and again this season, the Long Beach State 49ers marched right into a hostile road environment against a quality opponent and played about as well as one could hope, remaining undefeated in a conference in turmoil win a 74-64 victory over Pacific.  Stephan Gilling led the way with 19 points on 7-15 shooting, while Donovan Morris added 14 (4-8 FG).  The lead changed hands ten times in the first half before Long Beach pulled away, outscoring Pacific 42-27 in the second half.

The Tigers had played convincingly in recent wins behind solid performances from forward Anthony Brown, but the 49ers held the athletic big man to 11 points on 3-8 shooting.  Long Beach State shot better than 52% from the field to Pacific’s 42%, outrebounded the Tigers and recorded eight more assists than turnovers in an impressive all-around effort that the Long Beach State information department called a “statement game.”

So was it a statement game?  Certainly it was an impressive victory over one of the favorites to win the conference title – which now makes two front-runners that the 49ers have beaten (including UCSB).  So sure, it was a statement game in the way that Long Beach State has now stuck it to two teams that were picked to finish higher in the conference standings.  After an especially difficult non-conference schedule littered with road games against top-ranked opponents, the 49ers have thus far made easy work of their Big West foes – showing that they are capable of turning on the afterburners when necessary.  So yes, this was a statement game, or maybe rather a warning to the rest of the Big West that the young 49ers are more capable than we first imagined.

Should we redefine our expectations for the young 49ers?  A major early season concern was the readiness of the team’s four freshmen, but last night they played alongside each other during Long Beach’s crucial run that led to the victory.  Combining for 30 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists and just four turnovers (on the road, no less), the youngsters made a statement game for themselves.  They’re ready, and so the argument can be made that this team is ready.

Because while some (read: one) have recently spent their time wondering aloud about where head coach Dan Monson will spend his future years, the current team played an actual game of basketball against actual opponents, and on this website we prefer to discuss the game of basketball rather than gossip about unforeseen future developments.

And so it was that the 49ers won the first of a three-game road swing against the Pacific Tigers last night, improving their conference record to 3-0, and in the process becoming just the third Big West team with a winning overall record at 8-7.

The victory was a fairly accurate snapshot of the 49ers’ season so far, with solid contributions from each of four freshmen, accurate long-range shooting, impressive intangible play from the post position, and Donovan Morris scoring just as much as was needed.

It’s been a different hero each night for the 49ers – Ware against UCSB, Plater against Cal Poly SLO and Gilling at Pacific – showcasing a newfound versatility that can only benefit the team after last year’s extreme overdependence on Donovan Morris.  A different player stepped up in all three Big West games and there’s been no way for opposing teams to key on one player.  At this point, they must be questioning whether they should even key on Morris – which can only further play into the 49ers’ hands.

With two road games remaining on the trip, Long Beach State will now try to keep the ball rolling on a season that no one expected.  Most likely, they’ve already hit their low point (home loss to Montana State), as well as their high point (defeating Temple), so they know how to reach their best and they know how to fix their worst.  If the 49ers can stay on an even keel, one of the most surprising seasons in recent memory may turn out to be one of the most successful, as well.