Long Beach State Erases 18-Point Deficit In Comeback Win To Start Big West Tournament

Thursday, March 14

Anaheim, Calif.

8:30 P.M.

Long Beach State University

15-18

Hawai'i

18-13

Long Beach St.

Hawaii

Photo by: John Fajardo

Long Beach State Erases 18-Point Deficit In Comeback Win To Start Big West Tournament

3/15/2019 12:03:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - Hawai'i Photo Gallery

Jordan Roberts hit the game-winner in the final second for a 68-66 win over Hawai’i.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Jordan Roberts' game-winning jumper in the final second capped an incredible comeback for Long Beach State, who erased an 18-point deficit on the way to a 68-66 win over Hawai'i in the Big West Tournament quarterfinals.

Roberts finished with 18 points and nine rebounds to lead the Beach in both categories in a statement game for the sophomore. Deishuan Booker and Mason Riggins also both finished in double-figures, as did Drew Cobb who scored a career-high 11 points in the win. https://twitter.com/LBSUhoops/status/1106439895990456320

Relive the moment as Jordan Roberts sends us to Friday! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/GuKEfj2yTI
— LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) March 15, 2019

                Hawai'i (18-13) controlled the action early and dominated the first 15 minutes of the first half. The Rainbow Warriors opened the game on a 13-2 run that was only stopped by Booker being fouled on a 3-point attempt in the opening five minutes as Long Beach State (15-18) was completely out of sync offensively.

                An Eddie Stansberry 3-pointer would ultimately put Hawai'i up 33-15 with 5:54 remaining in the first half, but Riggins sank a pair of free throws to stop the run. Long Beach State would finish the half with just eight field goals made, but sank 13 free throws to help pull back the edge. The Beach would get within six on a Cobb fast-break basket, and stayed within single-digits at the break down 37-28.

                In the second half, Long Beach State kept up the pressure defense that had turned the momentum around, but couldn't make any headway as UH continued to lead. A 8-2 run would extend the lead to 12 with 7:02 to play for UH, but the momentum would take a wild shift.

                Going inside, Long Beach State found Riggins for a pair of baskets. Bryan Alberts then hit the first three of the game for Long Beach State, cutting the lead to five before Cobb stole the inbounds and scored to bring the Beach within three.

B ?? A ??

BRYAN ALBERTS ignites a MOMENTUM SWING for @LBSUhoops! Honda belongs to the Beach fans right now ??

TUNE IN
?? https://t.co/tAkmEVyw8N pic.twitter.com/6Dg9pv4eeG
— #BigWestMBB (@BigWestMBB) March 15, 2019

                Cobb then buried his first three of the season to tie the game at 61, and then following another steal was fouled and sank both to give the Beach their first lead with just over three minutes to play.

                Up 66-64 with 34 seconds left, Hawai'i broke the press for a Zigmars Raimo layup to tie the score, leading to the game-winner from Roberts.

                With the win, Dan Monson becomes the 14th coach at Long Beach State to win 200 games, and the first to do so in Men's Basketball.

                Booker also set another free throw record, as the senior went 7-for-7 from the line to increase his consecutive free throw streak to 53, breaking the Big West record.

                Long Beach State has now won six straight games, and will advance to Friday's semifinals where they will face the regular season champion UC Irvine in a Black and Blue Rivalry rematch. The teams split the two regular season meetings as Long Beach State was the only team to defeat the Anteaters in league play.

                Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPNU.