New Year's Weekend Wrap-up

Men's Basketball got off to a good start to the new year with double-digit wins over UCSB and Cal Poly, and are tied atop the Big West ladder with UCR, who matched the 49ers' two wins over the Gauchos and Mustangs. The Beach heads north for two BWC games later this week, Thursday night at improving Pacific, and Saturday against UC Davis.

Casper Ware was the start of Friday's victory, scoring a career-high 21 points, and only foul trouble held back Brian Freeman, who notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. Sunday, Greg Plater emerged from the bench to spark the Niners 14-0 rally to end the first half, nailing three 3-pointers, and finishing with a season-best 15 points on five 3-pointers. Stephan Gilling knocked down four 3-balls, himself, and had 14 points for The Beach.

Both 49er opponents were a little depleted this past weekend. UCSB has missed starting PG Justin Joyner all season, and starting PF and leading rebounder Jessie Byrd injured a knee a few weeks ago, and is not expected to return until late in the conference season, sometime in late February. Cal Poly was missing senior guard Trae Clark, who also missed their game at UCR, reportedly due to "disciplinary reasons".

Here's a link to the Press-Telegram game story from Sunday's win.

The girls were not as succesful this past weekend, losing at UCSB and Cal Poly. They return home for a Thursday afternoon affair against Pacific. The early weekday start time is part of a national promotion by the NCAA called the "Pack the House Challenge", in an effort to promote women's basketball. All I can say is, if you can spare a couple of hours off work Thursday and you work near the Pyramid, come on by and give the ladies a little support. Tickets will be discounted, and CSULB faculty and staff can watch for free with I.D..

We also got an early look at 49er Men's Volleyball this past weekend, as they split two exhibitions with Canadian CIS National Champions Univ. of Alberta. The Beach has been picked to finish 3rd in the MPSF this season, behind Pepperdine and UCLA. They start regular season play this weekend in Santa Barbara at the annual "Elephant Bar Invitational".