Slow Start In Second Half Stymies Beach Against Penn

Sunday, December 1

Anaheim, Calif.

10:30 a.m.

Long Beach State University

3-6,0-0Big West

Penn

5-3,0-0Ivy League

Long Beach St.

Penn

Photo by: John Fajardo

12/1/2019 1:46:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Beach had four in double-figures but were unable to slow down the Quakers in a 95-79 loss.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Long Beach State and Penn battled to a 43-43 tie in an exciting first half, but Penn got the better of the Beach out of the locker room and went on to defeat LBSU 95-79 in the third-place game of the Wooden Legacy, the final game of the tournament for both teams.

                Both teams came out firing in the first half, and each finished the game shooting over 50% as offense carried the day. Chance Hunter led four players in double-figures for the Beach, scoring a career-high 24 points including 21 in the first half that guided the way early for Long Beach State (3-6).

                Trailing the Quakers 15-8 after six minutes, Long Beach State would turn to Hunter and Colin Slater, who was a perfect 5-for-5 in the first half to battle their way back.

                Pulling the Penn (5-3) advantage back to one point on a Slater Jumper, Long Beach State would pull even at 34-34 on a three from the junior and then take a 43-40 lead on a three-point play from Hunter on a fast break. Max Martz hit an answering three for the Quakers just before the half, tying the game and setting the stage for the second half.

                Penn opened the second half on a 7-0 run, and Long Beach State would not be able to dent that lead significantly as the Quakers continued to be hot from outside. Ultimately making 15 3-pointers, Penn was led in scoring by Devon Goodman but saw Martz make five 3-pointers and Jordan Dingle make three, two of eight different Quakers to hit from behind the arc.

                Pushing the lead to 15 at 69-54, Long Beach State would make a final run, starting with a Slater three and capped by a Michael Carter III layup to cut the edge to 10 points at 74-64 with 7:05 to play. Penn once more had the answer from outside as Ryan Betley and Martz would hit during a 9-0 run that put the game out of reach.

                Long Beach State had three players set or tie their career-high in the contest. Hunter's 24 were a new high, and Slater tied his previous best off 18 points. Freshman Joshua Morgan finished with a career-high 15 points and Michael Carter III had an all-around night with 12 points, a career-high eight rebounds and a team-high four assists.

                The Beach will now move into a lighter period of the non-conference schedule, with the next game for LBSU scheduled for Saturday, December 7 in the Walter Pyramid when Long Beach State brings in former Big West foe Pacific for a 4 p.m. tip.