From LBPOSTSports.com: With first place in the Big West on the line, a Larry Anderson shot caromed off the rim as the 49ers desperately held onto a four-point lead with two minutes remaining. The ball hung in the air for what seemed like hours until Long Beach center Andrew Fleming outmuscled Matador Tremaine Townsend – one of the conference’s best rebounders – to snatch the ball out of the air and lay it in, giving the 49ers a six-point lead.
It was all Long Beach would need, as they (uncharacteristically) hit their free throws down the stretch and escaped the Pyramid with a 74-68 victory to remain in first place in the Big West. At 5-0, the 49ers hold at least a two-game lead over every other team in the conference.
Senior Donovan Morris scored 15 points in the first half to finish with a team-high 22 and also led the Beach with seven rebounds. Forward T.J. Robinson played inspired defense against Townsend under the boards and added seven rebounds of his own, while fellow freshman Casper Ware scored ten and dished out seven assists.
But it was the seldom-used Fleming’s bucket that sealed the victory.
“I saw it coming off the rim and I just grabbed it,” said Fleming, who also had two blocks. “I got it and I was going to just kick it back out, but then I saw that there was nobody really around me and I was kind of hesitant, like, ‘What should I do? Well, I’ll just try to go put it back. Might as well.'”
“Every game, it’s been a different guy that’s stepped up,” said head coach Dan Monson. “I told [Fleming] after the game, ‘I’m happiest for the team and I’m second-happiest for you.’ Because he’s worked hard and he made the plays tonight.”
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