Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
Missouri
Sluggish Start Hurts Long Beach State In Advocare Invitational Opener
11/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Orlando, Fla. - Long Beach State struggled offensively from the start of a Thanksgiving Day contest with Missouri, and the Tigers raced off to an early lead and never looked back as LBSU fell in a 95-58 loss.
Missouri (4-1) opened the game on an 18-5 run as Long Beach State (2-3) shot just 20.7 percent in the first half, and lost connection with the Tigers early. A three from Jontay Porter increased the Missouri lead to 25-9 after the first ten minutes before the Beach were able to keep pace with the Tigers, but the damage was done.
Trailing 43-21 at halftime, a pair of technical fouls issued by referee Doug Sirmons in the first two minutes of the second half against Long Beach State handicapped the Beach even further, and Missouri would pull away for the win.
Gabe Levin led the Beach with 12 points and seven rebounds, while North Carolina native KJ Byers had a nice second half in front of a group of friends and family who traveled down to Florida, scoring a career high 10 points with five rebounds in 21 minutes. Temidayo Yussuf also made his first appearance of the season for the Beach.
Long Beach State continues its time in the Advocare Invitational tomorrow, tipping off at 10:30 a.m. PT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
