Live blog: Men's Basketball vs. UC Irvine 1/8/2011

Live updates from court side at the Pyramid

Starting lineups
As The Alumni band pumps "Jesus Christ Superstar" through the Pyramid, he are today's starting lineups

UCI
Guard Darren Moore
Guard Patrick Rembert
Guard Daman Starring
Guard Mike Wilder
Forward Eric Wise

LBSU
Guard Greg Plater
Guard Casper Ware
Guard Larry Anderson
Forward Eugene Phelps
Forward T.J. Robinson

Today's keys to the game
- First and foremost, LBSU would be wise (pun intended) to control Eric Wise in the paint for the 'Eaters. Though his scoring avg. is down a bit this year, Long Beach knows what a load he can be in the paint when he gets going.

- A bounce back game for Greg Plater would do wonders for the 49er offense. GP was absolutely hounded by CSUN's D. If Plater can get his stroke going early we all know how effective he can be.

- Defense leads to offense. The road map to the 3-0 conference start has been pretty simple, play tough defense and the offense will come. If Long Beach can limit second chance opportunities and get out and run, they should have success on both sides of the ball.

15:28 left in first half LBSU 3 - UCI 10
Eric Wise the first to score, but Eugene Phelps bangs around and gets his own bucket. Wise continues to be aggressive and gets another look down low. And Phelps is happy to play this game, as he goes hard to the hole again, this time getting fouled and splits his free throws.

No offensive rhythm for Long Beach State this far, we're at the under 16 media.

12:28 left in first half. LBSU 9 - UCI 23
Nice offensive board and put back by T.J. after the break, but slow D leads to a transition three by UCI. Irvine off to a hot shooting start, and turnovers are giving the 'Eaters extra possessions. Three point shooting red hot for UCI and forces a LBSU timeout.

7:52 left in first half, LBSU 21 - UCI 27
Five quick points for Larry Anderson cuts UCI's lead to 10.

Bit of confusion on the court, both Edis and Eric Wise have been called for technical fouls, Wise's third foul. Long Beach getting stops on defense and the offense is coming around. Plater feeds T.J. and he is fouled, free throws after the break.

5:13 left in first half. LBSU 28 - UCI 29
Ware continues his three point shooting streak from last game as he hits a three, and a turnover at mid-court leads to another bucket by Casper and a timeout for the 'Eaters.

2:18 left in first half LBSU 35 - UCI 40
Long Beach now in the bonus after a rebounding foul, but Phelps can't capitalize at the line. This time Robinson works his way to the line, and knocks down both shots. The big men work off each other for the 49ers and Phelps finishes after a nice jump stop.

A Plater three gave Long Beach a temporary lead, but another mini-run by UCI gives them the lead.

End of first half LBSU 38 - UCI 46
UCI holds for the last possession but turns the ball over to LB with 5.6 left on the clock. Anderson rims out a nice looking three. At the half.

15:59 left in second half LBSU 44 - UCI 54
Long Beach can't get the uptempo game they want to play going, and UCI has done well to run clock but still get a decent look, and those shots continue to fall for the 'Eaters.

13:55 left in second half LBSU 50 - UCI 56
Edis gives Long Beach some nice energy off the bench with four points. LB cuts UCI's lead to six and forces an Eater timeout.

9:32 left in second half LBSU 63 - UCI 62
Casper completes a nice and-1 play after driving hard in the lane. Ware catches the UCI defense napping and finds Anderson for a nice reverse finish.

After a media timeout Casper hits a three from the top of the key to tie the game, and just for good measure drills another one.

7:41 left in second half LBSU 67 - UCI 62
Looks like Long Beach has finally keyed on when to run and when to slow it down, and are having success not only scoring, but forcing UCI to take difficult shots. We're under 8.

4:08 left in second half LBSU 73 - UCI 66
What a hustle play by GP3, saving the offensive board and eventually leading to an Anderson tip-in. Another close ranger from T.J. and then a quick timeout by Coach Monson.

2:02 left in second half LBSU 79 - UCI 70
UCI tries for a press after a made free throw, but Casper runs through as a one man press break and finds Phelps for the lay in. 'Eaters begin to intentionally foul sending Larry to the line for 1-and-1, converting both. And Edis does the same.

:37 left in second half LBSU 80 - UCI 73
Casper again headed to the line

29.4 left in second half 83 - 73
After an Irvine miss Edis heads to the line, making one.

FINAL LBSU 86 - UCI 78