Best of sports for spring 2000

49ers defeated in tournament

RENO, Nev. -- The 49ers had a golden opportunity to win.

But after missing several free throws, the Long Beach State men's basketball team lost to New Mexico State, 89-84, in overtime Friday.

"The story of the game was we missed 14 free throws," said 49er Head Coach Wayne Morgan. ""You can't beat a team of that caliber with 14 missed free throws."

LBSU (24-5) made just 21 shots out of 35 attempts in the Big West Conference championship tournament. The last time the 49ers aimed that poorly from the line was during a Nov. 20 loss to Pepperdine, in which they made just eight in 18 attempts.

This story originally ran in its entirety March 13.