Saturday, February 2
Long Beach, Calif.
7:00 P.M.
Long Beach State University
8-15,2-5BWC
80
vs
82
UC Irvine
19-5, 7-1BWC
1
2
F
UC Irvine
38
44
82
Long Beach State
35
45
80
Photo by: John Fajardo
UC Irvine Tops Long Beach State With Last Second Game-Winner
2/2/2019 10:12:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Long Beach State had a lead in the final minute but UC Irvine pulled out the victory.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Deishuan Booker finished with 29 points and five assists, including a kick out to Edon Maxhuni for a 3-pointer that game the Beach a 79-78 lead in the final minute, but a final UC Irvine basket in the closing seconds gave the Anteaters an 82-80 victory Saturday in the Walter Pyramid.
In a back-and-forth game with 14 lead changes and 11 ties, Maxhuni's corner three put the Beach on top 79-78 in the final minute, but UC Irvine (19-5, 7-1 Big West) answered with a bucket from Eyassu Worku to push back in front 80-79.
On the next possession for Long Beach State (5-15, 2-5 Big West), Mason Riggins was fouled and made one of two free throws to tie it with just over 15 seconds remaining. The Anteaters pushed the ball down the floor and went inside to Tommy Rutherford who scored, and a heave from KJ Byers was off the mark as UCI held on for the win.
Booker had another outstanding night, scoring 29 points and going a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line along with the five assists, and Byers finished with his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 boards.
Long Beach State opened up an early lead, pushing out in front 12-8 after the first nine minutes, but two straight threes from Evan Leonard helped UCI close the gap. The Anteaters would eventually take an eight-point lead at 36-28, the largest of the game, but LBSU closed the half on a 7-2 run to cut the lead to three at the break.
In the second half, UC Irvine held the lead until a pair of free throws from Booker pushed the Beach over the top at 59-58, and the teams would trade leads no bigger than four points the rest of the way.
The Beach outrebounded UC Irvine 35 to 34, but the Anteaters shot over 50% both from three and from the floor to help seal the win. Temidayo Yussuf added eight points and five rebounds in his second game back in action.
Long Beach State will stay home for the next game, hosting Hawai'i on Thursday, February 7 at 7 p.m. That game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
In a back-and-forth game with 14 lead changes and 11 ties, Maxhuni's corner three put the Beach on top 79-78 in the final minute, but UC Irvine (19-5, 7-1 Big West) answered with a bucket from Eyassu Worku to push back in front 80-79.
Maxhuni with the answer! Beach on top 79-78! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/k05J194qMJ
— LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) February 3, 2019
On the next possession for Long Beach State (5-15, 2-5 Big West), Mason Riggins was fouled and made one of two free throws to tie it with just over 15 seconds remaining. The Anteaters pushed the ball down the floor and went inside to Tommy Rutherford who scored, and a heave from KJ Byers was off the mark as UCI held on for the win.
Booker had another outstanding night, scoring 29 points and going a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line along with the five assists, and Byers finished with his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 boards.
BOOKER! Beach on top once again! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/wsJxxFJ4q2
— LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) February 3, 2019
Long Beach State opened up an early lead, pushing out in front 12-8 after the first nine minutes, but two straight threes from Evan Leonard helped UCI close the gap. The Anteaters would eventually take an eight-point lead at 36-28, the largest of the game, but LBSU closed the half on a 7-2 run to cut the lead to three at the break.
In the second half, UC Irvine held the lead until a pair of free throws from Booker pushed the Beach over the top at 59-58, and the teams would trade leads no bigger than four points the rest of the way.
The Beach outrebounded UC Irvine 35 to 34, but the Anteaters shot over 50% both from three and from the floor to help seal the win. Temidayo Yussuf added eight points and five rebounds in his second game back in action.
Long Beach State will stay home for the next game, hosting Hawai'i on Thursday, February 7 at 7 p.m. That game will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
Team Stats
UCIMBB
LBSU
FG%
.524
.429
3FG%
.533
.471
FT%
.571
.750
RB
34
35
TO
9
11
STL
9
7
Game Leaders
Pts
29
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
11
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Players Mentioned
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