{"id":4616,"date":"2009-02-22T10:32:00","date_gmt":"2009-02-22T10:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/sports\/49ers-struck-from-long-distance-in-espn-bracketbuster-game\/"},"modified":"2009-02-22T10:32:00","modified_gmt":"2009-02-22T10:32:00","slug":"49ers-struck-from-long-distance-in-espn-bracketbuster-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/sports\/49ers-struck-from-long-distance-in-espn-bracketbuster-game","title":{"rendered":"49ers Struck From Long Distance In ESPN BracketBuster Game"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The optimists among 49er fans would point out that, regardless of outcome, this game was positive. Long Beach State welcomed Green Bay into the Pyramid as part of the ESPN BracketBusters showcase – a game that could reap benefits if the 49ers defeated a strong mid-major, but wouldn’t hurt too much in a non-conference loss.<\/p>\n
But there was plenty for a pessimist to feast on, as the 49ers fell into a deep hole in the first half and allowed the Phoenix to score 52 points on 62.1% shooting from the field. Green Bay forward Ryan Tillema scored 20 of his 30 points in the first half, and hit five of his seven 3-pointers as the 49ers struggled defensively. With the offensive onslaught, Green Bay took a 16-point lead into halftime.<\/p>\n
In the second half, the Phoenix’s lead reached 24 points, until – again, in the optimist’s view – Long Beach mounted a comeback and cut the lead to as little as 10 with inspired defense and offensive penetration. It wasn’t enough to win, as Green Bay recovered to win 86-75. But in the second half, the 49ers made all 14 of their free throws and forced 13 of Green Bay’s 14 turnovers.<\/p>\n
So was the game a success or a failure?<\/p>\n
If you believe Long Beach State head coach Dan Monson, both.<\/p>\n
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