Riggins Scores Career-High 18 Points But Beach Falls At Hawai’i

Thursday, January 31

Manoa, Hawai'i

9:00 P.M.

Long Beach State University

8-14, 2-4BWC

Hawaii

13-7, 4-2BWC

Long Beach State

Hawai'i

Photo by: John Fajardo

Riggins Scores Career-High 18 Points But Beach Falls At Hawai’i

2/1/2019 12:26:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

In addition to Mason Riggins’ career night, Temidayo Yussuf also made his return for Long Beach State after a six-game absence.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

HONOLULU, Hawaii – Mason Riggins scored 18 points with seven rebounds, a career-high in points for the senior but Long Beach State wasn't able to finish off the comeback and Hawai'i pulled away down the stretch on the way to a 74-57 win in Honolulu for the Rainbow Warriors.

                In addition to Riggins' big night in the post, KJ Byers came close to a double-double with nine rebounds and nine assists and Long Beach State (8-14, 2-4 Big West) was happy to welcome back Temidayo Yussuf to active duty. The senior played limited minutes but made his return to the court Thursday after missing the last six games due to injury.

                The Beach got off to a strong start, finding Riggins for a dunk on the opening possession of the game, and taking an 11-2 lead after the first five minutes of the game.

                Two threes from Samuta Avea brought Hawai'i (13-7, 4-2 Big West) within one at 11-10, and while the Beach pushed the cushion back to five points at 15-10, a 14-2 run for the Rainbow Warriors gave UH a seven point lead they would ultimately never relinquish.

                Breamon Richard hit a half-court shot at the buzzer going into the half, and Long Beach State looked more confident coming out of the half. After giving up a three to Eddie Stansbury to go down nine, the Beach pulled back to within one at 41-40 with 15:07 to play.

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Mate Collins the dunk for @HawaiiMBB, but Breamon Richard with the HEAVE for @LBSUhoops!

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...#GoBows #GoBeach #PlayBig pic.twitter.com/xQQaZ502Dr
— #BigWestMBB (@BigWestMBB) February 1, 2019

                The Beach couldn't ever quite get back over the top though. Holding close with a Byers basket with 11:01 to play down 49-47, UH would respond with an 8-0 run and pulled away over the final eight minutes of the contest.

                Deishuan Booker added 14 points for the Beach, the only other LBSU player in double-figures.

                Long Beach State returns home to host UC Irvine in the Black and Blue Rivalry on Saturday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Walter Pyramid. The Beach won the last meeting between the teams on the road in Irvine earlier this season, an 80-70 victory.