Booker Scores Career High 31 Points, But No. 21 UCLA Pulls Away Late

Friday, November 9

Los Angeles, Calif.

8:00 p.m.

Long Beach State University

0-1

UCLA

2-0

Long Beach State

UCLA

Photo by: John Fajardo

Booker Scores Career High 31 Points, But No. 21 UCLA Pulls Away Late

11/9/2018 11:23:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - UCLA

Long Beach State returns to the Walter Pyramid for Homecoming on Saturday.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Senior Deishuan Booker scored a career-high 31 points, just Long Beach State's second 30-point game in the last three seasons, and the Beach gave No. 21 UCLA everything they could handle in a 91-80 loss in Pauley Pavilion Friday night.

Long Beach State (0-1) got a big lift early from Booker, who hit five of his seven shots from distance on the game and hit three straight in the first five minutes. The Beach would open up a seven point lead at 20-13, and would hold onto the edge through most of the first half while out-rebounding UCLA (2-0) 22 to 14 in the opening 20 minutes.

Booker's fourth three of the half put the Beach on top 41-35 with 2:09 to play, but an answering three from David Singleton and a key call helped the Bruins go into the half with the lead. A new rule in play this year changes specific post play into a flagrant foul, and the Beach was called for one with six seconds remaining in the half, and the Bruins made two free throws and then sank a deep three to go into the half on top 45-41.

We caught up with @deideibooker after his big game - a career-high 31 points with four asissts. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/GgTGd6t2zO
— LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) November 10, 2018

                In the second half, UCLA would extend their lead to eight points in the opening minutes, but Long Beach State recovered, taking a 59-58 lead with just over 13 minutes left on Booker's fifth 3-pointer.

                UCLA responded with an 23-5 run over the next seven minutes, opening up their largest lead at 81-64 with 5:08 remaining.

                The Beach turned to a full-court pressure defense that changed the tide once more, and LBSU would cut the lead to five points at 81-76 with Jordan Roberts capping the 12-0 run with a steal and a breakaway layup.

                UCLA would break the pressure the next trip down the floor, and Long Beach State's comeback effort ran out of time as the Bruins held on for a 91-80 win.

                Long Beach State will return to the floor in less than 24 hours, hosting Menlo College in the team's traditional Homecoming game at 4 p.m. in the Walter Pyramid. In addition to the team's home opener, Long Beach State will be presenting the 2018 Men's Volleyball National Championship their championship rings, and also retiring Glenn McDonald's jersey, a great at the Beach as a player, coach and staff member with over 30 years of service to the University.