Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
9-15, 4-4BWC
CSUN
10-12, 6-3BWC
Beach Falls At CSUN 108-98
2/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (HTML)
Northridge, Calif. - Long Beach State's second meeting with CSUN this season was another breakneck affair with the Matadors coming out on top in the Matadome 108-98.
Offense carried the day for both teams, as Long Beach State (9-15, 4-4 Big West) suffered another blow to the team's depth pregame as Noah Blackwell was unavailable due to a foot injury. Loren Jackson started in the sophomore's place, and the freshman joined the other four starters in double-figures as all five ended up with at least 14 points on the night.
Roschon Prince led the way with his seventh double-double of the season, scoring 21 points with 12 rebounds, while Justin Bibbins scored 20 points with nine assists despite batting foul trouble most of the evening. Evan Payne added 18 points, and both Jackson and Temidayo Yussuf scored 14 points as the Beach shot 46.2 percent on the night and made 17 assists.
CSUN (10-12, 6-3 Big West) answered with big nights from its three stars. The Matadors also had five players finish in double-figures, and three finished with over 20, as Tavrion Dawson led the way with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Kendall Smith and Darin Johnson each ended up with 23 points.
A back-and-forth first half saw the lead change 13 times despite a slow start. CSUN led 16-11 after the first ten minutes, but Long Beach State would grab the lead at 25-24 on a three-point play from Mason Riggins, and both teams would trade baskets in a wild first half that ultimately saw the Matadors lead 50-45.
Payne scored seven quick points in the second half to help the Beach quickly close the gap and take a 54-53 lead after the first two minutes. The Matadors bounced back, however, and Bibbins' fourth personal foul at 15:09 changed the complexion of the game.
With Bibbins on the bench, the Matadors began an 8-0 run that extended the CSUN lead to 14 points, and Long Beach State was unable to pull closer than six points the rest of the way.
Long Beach State returns to the Walter Pyramid Saturday to host UC Irvine in the Black and Blue Rivalry. Tip time has been moved to accommodate television, and will now start at 8 p.m. and be televised live on ESPNU.
