LONG BEACH--- The NCAA Division I Long Beach State 49ers spoiled the SF State Gators' 2010-11 regular season opener this evening at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California, this evening as they defeated their visitors 82-65 behind Casper Ware's 16 points, 6 assists, and 6 steal performance. Senior guard Marquel Hoskins (Beloit, Wisconsin, Reedley College) paced the Gators with 16 points while Nefi Perdomo (Oakland, California, Skyline ) chipped in 11.

“We let Long Beach State have too many runs this evening and we were in foul trouble for most of the night,” said SF State Head Coach Paul Trevor. “I am proud of my guys as they kept on competing and fighting,” added the first-year head coach. “We need to learn from this as this Sunday will be another great test in Cal State Monterey Bay,” noted Trevor. “Going into CCAA play will not be a step down in competition from this evening as a lot of teams in the conference are at an extremely high level.”

The Gators started the game outscoring their hosts 15-10 in the first 12 minutes keyed by a 7-2 run which was capped by a Hoskins' three. The 49ers, who are picked to finish second in the Big West Conference, went on a 18-2 run in the next four minutes capped to take a 28-17 lead. Phoenix O'Rourke (San Mateo, California, Junipero Serra)hit a three with 3:11 to go in the half to cut the hosts' lead to just 28-20, but Long Beach State (1-1) outscored SF State 8-5 in the final three minutes to take a 36-25 lead into the locker room.

Casper Ware's three-pointer in the first three minutes of the second half gave the 49ers a 47-28 lead. Plater then hit another three for Long Beach State with 12:30 on the clock to give the hosts their largest lead of the game, 52-30.

The Gators (0-1) would not give up as they went on a 12-2 run to cut the Long Beach State lead to 62-50 with still over seven minutes to play in regulation. The 49ers scored the next six points on a three by Ware and three free throws by TJ Robinson to increase their lead to 68-50 with a little over six minutes to go in the game.

SF State cut the lead to 12 twice in the next six minutes, but could not get any closer as the 49ers held on for an 82-65 non-conference win.

The Gators did force 17 turnovers by Long Beach State, who lost 81-65 to NCAA Division I San Diego State on Saturday. SF State did have 26 fouls called on them compared to 17 on the 49ers.

SF State will return to the court this Sunday, November 21 at 4pm, when the Gators begin conference play with a game in Seaside against the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters. This will be both team's CCAA opener and the Otters' home opener. The Gators will have their home opener on December 3rd at 7:30pm against Cal State East Bay. 

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