We talk a lot about the good teams and, “winning the games you have to win.”   With sole possession of first place on the line, it was that kind of game on Saturday night in Irvine.  And with no Donovan Morris, four Long Beach State players scored in double figures on the way to a 67-63 victory over UC Irvine on Saturday night.

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T.J. Robinson helped Long Beach outscore UC Irvine by 10 points in the paint on his way to a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds. The total team effort came with 11 points each from Stephan Gilling and freshman Larry Anderson, plus 10 points and three assists from Casper Ware.

The 49er defense stepped up huge, holding the Anteaters to 27.6 percent shooting in the first half and racking up a 41-28 advantage on the boards. Brian Freeman had nine boards and eight points.

Eric Wise led the Anteaters (7-14, 4-4) with 19 points and 10 boards.

Long Beach plays in the ‘Myd again on Thursday against UC Davis.