GAME NOTES: The third matchup in the Wooden Legacy tournament Thursday features a clash between the Long Beach State 49ers and the Western Michigan Broncos at Titan Gym in a non-conference tilt.

Long Beach State has lost two of its last three games, including a 77-63 setback at UCLA. Although the 49ers have a losing record, they haven't lost back-to-back games yet this season entering the tournament.

Western Michigan started the season at 3-0 with wins over Aquinas, Oakland and Drake. But the Broncos dropped their most recent contest - a 77-70 decision at San Diego on Monday for their first loss of the season.

Long Beach State and Western Michigan have met just once on the floor in their series history. The lone contest was played back in 2001, and went to the 49ers, 71-64.

Long Beach State shot 38.1 percent from the floor in the first half against UCLA, as the Bruins took a 42-31 lead into the intermission. The 49ers finished the game shooting 42.6 percent from the floor, but could only make 29.2 percent from 3-point range. Mike Caffey led the team with 19 points, and David Samuels came up just shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Caffey has taken over the role of the team's leading scorer through five games this season, netting 18.2 ppg on 58.6 percent shooting. He also tops the squad with 4.0 apg and 11 total steals. Samuels is the only other Long Beach State player to average a scoring total in double figures, contributing 10.2 ppg and a team-best 6.0 rpg. Last year's leading scorer Tyler Lamb has played in just three games, but is at 8.7 ppg. The 49ers are putting up 74.0 ppg, but allowing opponents to score 78.6 ppg.

Western Michigan displayed a solid offensive effort against San Diego, but the Broncos suffered their first defeat of the season because they allowed Toreros shooters to connect on 55.8 percent of their field goal tries in the contest. David Brown led the way for Western Michigan, netting 21 points with six rebounds and four assists. Austin Richie chipped in with 16 points, and Tucker Haymond added 15 points with six boards in the loss.

Richie has overtaken Haymond and Brown as the team's leading scorer heading into the Wooden Legacy. His 16.3 ppg tops the squad, but is followed very closely by Haymond's 15.8 ppg average and Brown's 15.3 ppg mark. Connar Tava rounds out the group of double-digit scorers with 14.8 ppg, adding a team-best 6.8 rpg total. Though they could only score 70 against San Diego, the Broncos are still averaging 82.5 ppg this season and giving up just 70.0 ppg to the opposition.

Western Michigan should be able to bounce back well after the team's last loss, though allowing San Diego to shoot so well, there may be some concern surrounding the defensive effort. Long Beach State needs more contributors to the offense if the team wants a shot to take the Wooden Legacy title.