LONG BEACH, Calif. (Interstat) — A surging UC San Diego men’s basketball team will visit struggling Long Beach State in a nonconference matchup on Saturday at Walter Pyramid. The Tritons (7-1) have been one of the early surprises of the season, their only loss a 76-70 road defeat at Nevada on Tuesday. Leo Beath led UC San Diego with 17 points in that game. Prior to that, they had racked up wins over Towson, Bradley and Temple during a six-game winning streak. The 49ers (2-6) snapped a five-game skid with a 76-72 home win over San Diego on Nov. 30. Guard Gavin Sykes exploded for 30 points in that victory, a season high for any Long Beach State player this year. The game serves as a final nonconference tune-up for both programs before Big West play begins next month. UC San Diego visits Tulane on Dec. 13, while Long Beach State travels to San Jose State on Dec. 9.