Cal Poly surges late to beat Long Beach State 71-58

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (AP) Joel Awich scored 19 points, Reese Morgan had 12 of his 18 in the final 8 1/2 minutes and Cal Poly beat Long Beach State 71-58 on Saturday.

Cal Poly (12-11, 5-6 Big West) led by four at the half and quickly pushed its lead to double digits once play resumed. But the 49ers responded, as a 12-3 run gave Long Beach a 50-49 lead with 9:24 to go.

The Mustangs answered. Morgan drilled back-to-back 3-pointers to start a 17-6 run capped by another Morgan trey to put Cal Poly up 66-56 with 3:17 left. Long Beach managed just one more field goal down the stretch.

Cal Poly opened with a 24-11 lead. Long Beach responded with a 12-0 run of its own, and trailed at the half 36-32.

Long Beach State (13-14, 7-4 Big West) was led by Branford Jones with 11 points and David Samuels with 10.