3:30pm | Larry Anderson was indeed dressed for the 49ers quarter final game with UC Davis. A sharp long sleeve black and white striped shirt, matching slacks and well shined dress shoes. Forgive the Big West all star for not knowing exactly where to sit, after all he leads his team in minutes played, not sideline sitting. He opened the game with an extra chair just in front of the LBSU bench and exhorted his team on every possession. Well, until referee Daryl Gelinas moved him from his faux platinum seat to one elsewhere on the bench (next to operations guy Ryan Hellenthal).
 
That was pretty much the only drama in the Davis affair, since Eugene Phelps, who had a nightmare shooting effort against UCSB in the final last year, led five Niners in double figures as Long Beach State routed UC Davis 80-46. Coach Dan Monson claimed he was anxious pre-game because, “any time you change your starting lineup after 30 some games you just don’t know how your team will respond.” He said it was a game his team should win and had to win.   
 
Facing a perimeter oriented team in Davis; Phelps became the 22nd player in school history to score 1,000 career points. The 49er senior entered the game needing three points to reach the milestone and scored a pair of baskets in the first three minutes of the game. (He joined current 49er teammates Casper Ware, Larry Anderson and T.J. Robinson in the exclusive club.)
 
Next up is the Cinderella in the Disney area basketball tournament UCI who never trailed in knocking Fullerton down to earth from their Saturday night high in beating LBSU at historic Titan Gym. Monson said he was impressed with eh Anteater rhythm which he said came from the Eater defense who held the confere3nce’s best offense to 59 points and a 37.1% shooting percentage. And for both teams Monson said, “you know we know what’s in front of us but I am pretty sure that they teach math at UC Irvine and realize that two more wins puts them in the NCAA tournament.”
 
Phelps finished the game sizzling, 8-of-12 field goals plus five boards. TJ Robinson added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Ware, James Ennis and Peter Pappageorge (career high) each scored 11 points. Mike Caffey, making his first career start in place of the injured Anderson, had eight points, four rebounds and four assists (no turnovers) in 29 minutes. The subs, the new Fab Four, each had double figures in minutes leaving the first five, and maybe Anderson, fresh as a daisy.
 Bonus Notes from Tourney Central
 
Long Beach State (23-8) held a 31-0 advantage in points off turnovers, forcing 20 Aggies’ turnovers. LBSU committed just six turnovers, while handing out 15 assists…Eddie Miller led UC Davis (5-26) with 17 points. UC Irvine coach Russ Turner was impressed with his teams win over Fullerton. “They are the best in the league, “field goals, points, average, etc.”  What they didn’t have was a hangover cure and as much hustle. Titan Coach Bob Burton, “I knew we were very loose in the locker room before the game and I told my coaches that is either a very good sign or a very bad sign”  Bad sign  All that is left for the senior laden Titan team is an invite to one of the lesser tourneys below the NCAA and NIT. …Long Beach State women and coaches joined that black and gold party that dominated the arena.  LBSU has free student tickets to for 1st 1,000 Niner students each game to show student I.D. at the Honda Center Box Office.