Long Beach State Falls At CSUN 86-71

Wednesday, January 23

Northridge, Calif.

7:00 P.M.

Long Beach State University

8-12, 2-2BWC

CSUN

9-12, 3-2BWC

Long Beach State

CSUN

Photo by: John Fajardo

1/23/2019 9:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - CSUN

Deishuan Booker scores 20 and KJ Byers added a career-high 19 in the loss.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State drew even on a pair of occasions in the second half, including taking a 51-50 lead with just under 12 minutes to play, but CSUN pulled away in the closing minutes in an 86-71 win for the Matadors on Wednesday night.

                The game was a back-and-forth affair throughout the majority of the first half, with 12 lead changes in the first 20 alone. CSUN (9-12, 3-1 Big West) leading scorer Lamine Diane picked up three first half fouls, and Long Beach State (8-12, 2-2) was able to take advantage for a time, leading 33-29 on a layup from KJ Byers. The Matadors would close the half on a 9-0 run though to lead at the break 38-33.

                Long Beach State came out of the locker room strong, scoring five straight to tie the game at 38-38. CSUN bounced back to take a six point lead at 48-42, but the Beach went inside, finding Mason Riggins for a massive dunk and a three-point play that would give the Beach a 51-50 lead with 11:48 remaining.

                Once again, the Matadors had an answer, going on an 8-0 run to open up an eight-point lead. A three-point play from Byers cut the lead to five at 67-62, but CSUN would get hot from outside down the stretch, and extended their lead as the Beach tried to close the gap by fouling in the final minute.

                Deishuan Booker led the Beach with 20 points and five assists, and KJ Byers contributed a career-high 19 off of the bench to lead Long Beach State in scoring. Drew Cobb also tied a career-high with 10 points, and Edon Maxhuni added for LBSU.

                CSUN had all five starters in double-figures, led by Terrell Gomez who had 21 and a double-double from Jared Pearre who finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

                Long Beach State returns to the Walter Pyramid for their next game, hosting UC Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 26. That contest will be broadcast live on ESPN3.