The Long Beach State 49ers  (6-8, 1-0) snapped a four-game skid with an impressive road victory over the team predicted to win the Big West Conference, with a convincing 71-55 victory over UC Santa Barbara (6-5, 0-1) on Tuesday night.

It was the first game of the Big West Conference season and one of the most sound performances from the 49ers all year.

Junior guard Larry Anderson wasn’t even expected to play, but returned after missing five games with a broken hand to score 25 points on 9-10 shooting with 8 rebounds. Not only was Anderson efficient with the ball, but he also helped keep two Gauchos well below their scoring averages.

UCSB guards James Nunnally and reigning Big West Player of the Year Orlando Johnson both lead the conference in scoring, but were held to dismal performances on their own court Tuesday, shooting 1-11 (7 points) and 5-16 (14 points), respectively.

Meanwhile, Long Beach shot the lights out, going for 58.3% from the field in the second half to score 42 points and pull away from UCSB. The 49ers even overcame difficulties at the free-throw line and shot 11-12 in the second half.

“I told them I’m not proud of them because this is how I expect them to be,” said head coach Dan Monson. “Today they were who we want them to be and we need to expect that out of ourselves every day.”

Anderson was joined by three other 49ers who scored in double figures. Forwards T.J. Robinson and Eugene Phelps were impressive inside, while guard Greg Plater scored 12 points and nailed three 3-pointers. Point guard Casper Ware just missed double figures with 9 points and 6 assists.

The 49ers next travel to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (4-7, 0-0) on Thursday night.