Long Beach State Falls To CSUN, 73-64

Wednesday, February 26

Long Beach, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

10-19,5-8Big West

CSUN

12-17,7-6Big West

CSUN

Long Beach St.

Photo by: John Fajardo

2/26/2020 10:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - CSUN Press Conference Photo Gallery

Max De Geest and Colin Slater led Long Beach State in scoring, each in double-figures off the bench.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State pulled to within two points on multiple occasions in the second half, but couldn't quite get over the top in a 73-64 loss to CSUN on Wednesday night. Lamine Diane led all scorers with 28 points, while Max De Geest and Colin Slater scored 11 and 10 respectively to pace the Beach.

                A few quick baskets had Long Beach State (10-19, 5-8 Big West) out in front early, and while CSUN (12-17, 7-6 Big West) pulled in front win a 9-0 run to take a 13-4 lead, the Beach held defensively, holding Matadors leading scorer and returning Big West Player of the Year Diane to five points in the first half.

                That effort helped keep the Beach within striking distance after the first 20, trailing by six 31-25.

                Another early run from the Matadors in the second half pushed the lead to 11 at 38-27, but Long Beach State bounded back. A three from Chance Hunter got the Beach going, and LBSU answered with a 7-0 run of their own.

                Working in transition, a three from De Geest cut the lead to two at 45-43, and the teams traded baskets for a moment, with a massive dunk from Trever Irish again trimming the edge to two and appearing to give LBSU the momentum.

Cobb to Trever Irish with AUTHORITY! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/t9SEQnTDjf — LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) February 27, 2020

                CSUN snatched it back with the help of Diane in the key run of the game. Hitting a three to start the run, Diane scored four of the next five baskets for the Matadors with the other a Terrell Gomez transition three to push the lead to 15 in what ultimately would be a 16-2 run for CSUN.

                The Beach got a lift off of the bench with 32 points total led by De Geest's 11, but Diane finished with 28 points while Gomez, Darius Brown II and Festus Ndumanya all ended in double-figures for CSUN.

                Long Beach State will take its final trip outside of greater Southern California next, traveling to face UC Davis on the road in Davis. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Saturday.