49er fans show spirit as team faces defeat

An enthusiastic crowd of about 200 students gathered at the University Student Union Informal Lounge Friday to watch the KCBS Channel 2 broadcast of the NCAA Tournament to cheer on the Cal State Long Beach men's basketball team.

"It was really energetic," CSULB undeclared major Heather Heenan said. "It's cool to be here."

Heenan also said that watching the game with the students was exciting and the excitement traveled through the crowd. "It's contagious," Heenan said.

Students watched the game on the Lounge's giant screen and showed their support for the 49ers who where in Boise, Idaho to challenge the Utah Runnin' Utes in the first round of the tournament.

Some students waved black and gold pompons and others wore pyramid-shaped hats which pictured CSULB men's basketball team.

"Everybody's spirited and everybody's into the game," CSULB nursing major, Mieae Choi said. "It's like you're there."

"It's like you're part of it," Choi said.

Photographers and cameramen were also present to capture the moment.

By halftime, the 49ers trailed the Utes 39-28, but that didn't discourage the 49er fans from staying for the second half.

Utah led throughout the second, but when CSULB center Joe McNaull scored a short-range field goal with 6:39 left in the game, it pulled the 49ers with six points of the Utes.

The crowd regained their enthusiasm and waved their pompons as it appeared to be the makings of a comeback, but it never happened.

With one minute left in the game, the 49ers were down by 10 points. The crowd grew silent and began to leave the Lounge as the Channel 2 broadcast switched into another basketball game.

The 49ers were no longer in the tournament after Friday's 76- 64 loss to Utah, but despite the loss some students were pleased with the 49ers' effort.

"They gave a lot of hustle," Choi said. "They played their hearts out."

CSULB sociology major Fernando Sintora said he was proud of the team because they won the Big West Tournament and made the NCAA Tournament.

"At least we got some experience for next year," Sintora said. "We'll come back."

The game was originally scheduled to be show at the Nugget, but the televisions at the Nugget had reception problems causing the game to be shown in the Student Union.