Freeman’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Long Beach State Over Iona in Vegas

Monday, November 19

Las Vegas, Nev. (Cox Pavilion)

2:00 P.M.

Long Beach State University

2-3

Iona College

1-2

Long Beach

Iona

Photo by: John Fajardo

Freeman’s Buzzer-Beater Lifts Long Beach State Over Iona in Vegas

11/19/2018 6:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

With a layup as time expired on Monday afternoon, junior Ron Freeman secured an 86-85 victory for Long Beach State over Iona at the MGM Resorts Main Event in Las Vegas.

By: Tyler Hendrickson, Associate Athletic Communications Director

LAS VEGAS -- Long Beach State (2-3) earned a thrilling 86-85 victory over Iona (1-2) as junior guard Ron Freeman drove to the bucket and made a layup as time expired to give the Beach a thrilling win in its first game at the MGM Resorts Main Event at Cox Pavilion. Iona took the 85-84 lead with just four seconds to play with a bucket on the other end, but Freeman was able to take the ball to distance and hit shot went through the basket just as time expired.

The man of the hour, Ron Freeman (@2guardsonly) joins @jasondschwartz to discuss his game-winner in Long Beach State's 86-85 victory over Iona in Vegas! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/7LGjZlalgz
— LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) November 20, 2018

Freeman's heroic bucket gave him 14 points on the night, making him one of four LBSU players to score 14 or more in the win. Temidayo Yussuf led all scorers with 18 points on 7/12 shooting inside, helping the Beach to 36 bench points. KJ Byers collected his first double-double of the season with 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds as Long Beach out-rebounded the Gaels, 36-27. Las Vegas native Deishuan Booker also had 14 points to go with seven assists and four rebounds. The senior continued to excel at the free-throw line, going 6/6 at the stripe on Monday.

The Beach shot an impressive 55.6 percent from the floor, going 10/17 (58.8%) from beyond the arc and 16/20 (80%) at the free-throw line in an impressive shooting display. Four players hit multiple 3's on Monday, with Bryan Alberts hitting three and Freeman, Byers and Edon Maxhuni each hitting a pair.

Long Beach State led for the majority of the game, staying in front for over 34 minutes, but still needed the clutch bucket from Freeman to pull out the win. LBSU led by as many as 10 with just over 11 minutes left in the game, but Iona was able to make an impressive comeback to set up the exciting finish.

The Beach will play Utah Valley on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Cox Pavilion in the Championship Game of the MGM Resorts Main Event Middleweight Bracket.