Beach Defeats LMU, 71-68

Beach Breaks 3-Game Losing Streak and Defeats Loyola Marymount, 71-68
Marcel Jackson and Kevin Roberts Pick Up Double-Doubles in Win

December 23, 2003

LONG BEACH, CA—Long Beach State (2-5) defeated Loyola Marymount (6-4) 71-68 on Tuesday night in a non-conference game at The Pyramid to break a three-game losing streak. LBSU's Marcel Jackson scored a career-high 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for his first career double-double at Long Beach. Kevin Roberts also picked up a double-double in the game with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

The Beach led by as many as 12 in the second half (56-44), but a feisty LMU team clawed it's way back into the game, shooting 8-of-8 from the free throw line at the end of the game to pull to within one point, 69-68, with just 14 second left. The 49ers hit two of four free throws in the final 0:13, while LMU missed two shots at the end of the game.

"I think our kids played well tonight," said Head Coach Larry Reynolds. "This was probably our best total game we've had this season. The guys did a good job of getting Marcel the ball. Obviously the team has confidence in him."

Jackson picked up all of his career-high points in the second half, while Kevin Houston was the third 49er to score in double-digits, picking up 14 points. Jackson was 6-9 from the field in the second stanza. The Beach shot 41% for the game and committed just 14 turnovers, while out-rebounded the Lions 47-35. LBSU finished with 22 offensive rebounds as Roberts grabbed nine and Jackson eight.

Sherman Gay led Loyola with 19 points and six rebounds. Gray picked up 12 of his 19 points in the second half. Jason Dickens picked up 10 points and grabbed six rebounds in the loss. The Lions shot 39% from the field and hit just 3-16 (.387) from 3-point range.

A slam-dunk by Roberts capped off a 6-0 run with 13:20 remaining to push LBSU's lead to 45-40. Roberts continued to pad the 49ers lead (49-40) after draining a jumper with 11:50 left to play. Charles Brown broke LMU's scoring drought with a pull-up jumper at 11:25 to close within 49-42, but Darby capped off a 14-2 run with a 15-foot jumper to give The Beach a 53-42 lead at the 10:50 mark.

"Kevin Roberts and Marcel were huge on the boards tonight," said Reynolds. "They got us some easy shots. Marcel has had back-to-back good games. This is something to build off of."

Long Beach State went into the halftime break up 29-28. The 49ers led by as many as six during the first half. The Beach shot 38% for the half, while LMU only shot 25% (8-32). The Lions stayed in the game by hitting 9-of-11 free throw attempts and grabbing 25 rebounds, 10 on the offensive glass. Houston scored 13 first half points for The Beach, while Roberts added seven.

The men's basketball team will travel north to Sacramento State for a game on Saturday, December 27. The 49ers will return to The Pyramid on Tuesday, December 30 to take on Colgate in their final game before conference.

BOX SCORE


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