'Niners play well early but fall lateAll-American BYU forward Lee Cummard was just as good as advertised.
This past off-season he turned down the NBA to return to Utah for his senior season much to the delight of everyone but the black and gold.
Behind his career-high 36 points on 13-of-15 shooting and 10 rebounds BYU (1-0) erased a seven-point halftime deficit to down the 49ers 75-65, in both team's 2008-2009 season opener.
LBSU (0-1) was led by senior forward Cornel Williams who also registered a double-double on 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Guards Donovan Morris (13 points) and Stephan Gilling (12 points) also scored in double figures for the Beach. Both Williams and Gilling knocked down three 3-pointers.
But the story of the night was Cummard. "He's a complete player," LBSU Coach Dan Monson said. "He literally led BYU by himself. They had a lot of guys not play well but he had a great game."
Jonathan Tavernari added 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Cougars. The Cummard-Tavernari duo combined for 55 of the 75 Cougar points.
The rest of the team shot just 5-of-23 from the field.
A slow start to the 2nd half by LBSU let BYU back in the affair after the Beach headed into the break with a 38-31 lead. The 'Niners shot just 10-for-29 in the 2nd half and managed only 27 points.
"We put ourselves in a position to win but just weren't experienced enough to get it done," Monson said. "They are a more experienced team and I think that showed down the stretch."
For a 6-25 team a year ago this was a huge step in the right direction despite the loss. BYU embarassed the 'Niners at the Walter Pyramid last November in a 74-34 romp.
That game was never in doubt. This one wasn't decided until about the 2-minute mark of the 2nd half.
Two big areas of concern headed into this game for Long Beach were rebounding and free throw shooting.
Those categories remain an issue. LBSU was outrebounded 43-35 and shot just 50 percent (7-for-14) from the line.
For a team that struggled both on the road (1-17) and in close games (2-11 in games decided by six points or less) last year these are areas still in need of improvement.
Freshman Casper Ware started at point guard scoring seven points and dishing out three assists. He also had five turnover's.
"Tonight was a difficult game for (Ware) which is good," Monson said. "That's why we're starting him that's why we're sticking with him because he needs to learn. That's why we are playing in these games, for all our freshman. They need to understand that every possesion is vital."
Eugene Phelps added eight points and three rebounds off the bench.
The win runs BYU's home winning streak to 48 games. That is the longest such streak in the nation.
The 22,000 seat Marriott Center was less than half-full despite a paid attendance of 15,753.
The 'Niners travel to Madison, Wisc., for a Sunday game against the University of Wisconsin. That game is a 1 p.m. Pacific tip-off and will air on the Big Ten Network, DirecTV channel 610.
