This post is part of The Arena Pulse's Player of the Night feature.
Each morning throughout the 2011-12 season, The Arena Pulse will select and name its "Player of the Night" from the previous evening's action.
Thursday night was not at all kind to some of the nation's top mid-major talent.
Murray State fell for the first time this season and Saint Mary's undefeated run in the WCC ended in Spokane at the hands of the Zags.
However, Long Beach State, an emerging and under-the-radar threat from the Big West Conference, was able to keep its stellar play going, thanks in large part to career performance from one of the league's top offensive threats.
The winner of The Arena Pulse's Player of the Night (2/9):
Name: Casper Ware
School: Long Beach State
Class: Senior
Position: Guard
Stat Line: 38 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal
Back on Nov. 16, Long Beach State and senior guard Casper Ware won on the road at Pittsburgh, a win that helped mark their early-season success and future potential late in the year.
Ware has continued to provide the 49ers with a leadership and a consistent offensive threat, as LBSU remains undefeated in Big West play.
On Thursday, Long Beach State traveled to Pacific, and while facing a two-point deficit at halftime, the 49ers rallied behind an incredible second half display from Ware.
The 5-foot-10 guard scored 27 of his career-high 38 points after the halftime break, leading the 49ers to a 74-66 road victory. LBSU improved to 11-0 in league play with the win.
In addition to his 38 points, Ware was also credited with five rebounds and one steal, but it was his stellar offensive output that garnered the nation's top individual performance.
Long Beach State (18-6, 11-0) continues to look the part of a potential Cinderella once March arrives, but for now the focus remains on a regular season conference title.
The 49ers will hit the road on Saturday night, traveling to UC-Davis (2-21, 1-10). Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. (EST).
*Photo: Casper Ware *Credit: cardchronicle.com
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Original Story:
http://www.thearenapulse.com/2012/02/...
