Beach Returns Home To Host CSUN On ESPN3

Friday, January 15

Long Beach, Calif.

4 p.m.

Long Beach State University

CSUN

Photo by: John Fajardo

1/14/2021 9:35:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Game Notes - CSUN

A strengthened Long Beach State team is scheduled to play four straight games at home.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Big West play continues this weekend, as Long Beach State hosts CSUN for a two-game series in the Walter Pyramid. Both games are set to tip off at 4 p.m., and will be broadcast live on ESPN3.

Game:....................................... Long Beach State vs. CSUN
Date:.............................................. Friday, January 15, 2021
Time:............................................................................ 4 p.m.
Location:.................................................. Long Beach, Calif.
Arena:............................................... Walter Pyramid (4,200)
TV:.............................................................................. ESPN3
TV Talent:................................... Dave Caldwell, Dave Miller
Radio:.................................... 22 West Radio, HD FM 88.1-3
Radio Talent:.............................................. Jason Schwartz
Webcast:........................................................... WatchESPN
Live Stats:.............................................. beachlivestats.com

RIGHT AWAY
• Long Beach State has split both of its first two conference series after again taking the first game on the road at Cal State Fullerton. The Beach dropped the Titans 82-80 in the first game on Friday behind 20 points from Isaiah Washington, but fell in overtime on Saturday 75-72.

• CSUN will be playing its first conference games against LBSU, as the Matadors are coming off of a two-week COVID-19 pause. CSUN won both meetings between the teams last season, and among common opponents, both teams this season picked up home wins against Seattle.

• Long Beach State continued to have nine players suited through the first two league series, as Chance Hunter returned but Michael Carter III missed the last two games due to injury.

• The Beach has encouraging news on that front however. Long Beach State is excited to welcome back senior Colin Slater who has completed a quarantine and re-entered the team bubble for the spring semester. Michael Carter III is slated to return as well, and the team has received positive news regarding other long-term injuries to team members.

• Senior transfer Isaiah Washington has been a steadying presence for the Beach despite coming just this season after transferring in from Iona. Washington leads Long Beach State at 17.1 points per game and also is averaging 4.0 assists per game to lead the squad. His 836 points and 294 assists over his four DI seasons are the highest among all of Long Beach State's current roster.

PLAYER NOTES
• Junior College transfer Joe Hampton has rapidly become a key figure for Long Beach State, finishing a long journey to come to the Beach. Initially signed by Penn State, Hampton caught the eye of the LBSU coaching staff but spent a season at Pasadena City College and East LA College before enrolling at Long Beach State. Hampton is fourth on the team in scoring at 11.4 points per game, and is leading the squad in both steals and blocks on the year while starting every game.

• Junior Chance Hunter was one of six players chosen by the media for the Preseason All-Big West team. An Honorable Mention All-Big West selection a year ago, Hunter is averaging 11.8 points per game while leading the team on the glass with 7.0 rebounds per game. Scoring in double-figures in the first two games of the season, Hunter put up a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards in the win over Seattle, and returned to action on January 8 against Cal State Fullerton

• Michael Carter III set a career-high in scoring with 25 points in the Bakersfield opener, and is second on the team in scoring at 15.0 points per game in his second season at the Beach. Carter III started the first five games of the season, but missed the last two games due to an injury sustained against CSU Bakersfield.

• A third returning starter alongside Hunter and Carter III, Romelle Mansel put up career highs in rebounding to start the season, starting with nine at LMU before bringing in 10 rebounds against Seattle. Averaging 4.7 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, Mansel has missed the start of conference play due to injury.

• Trever Irish has now scored in double-figures in two of the last three games, and is now averaging 7.4 points per game and has season highs of 16 points and 12 rebounds, both coming in league play. Those breakthroughs signal a ull recovery from significant injuries that slowed his return to form. Irish is averaging 7.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, and is Long Beach State's first seven-footer since Mike Vantrimpont in the 2011-12 season. Irish has started every game in Big West play for the Beach.

• LBSU's injury woes have given an opportunity to freshman Jadon Jones, who has started the last four games for the Beach. A local product who attended St. Anthony High School, Jones scored 16 points in the opener against CSU Bakersfield and led the team with 17 points in the Fullerton finale. The true freshman is averaging 6.7 points per game while shooting 50.0% from three.

• RJ Rhoden is the first of a trio of redshirt freshmen guards who have debuted for LBSU this season. Rhoden has twice scored in double-figures in league play, and is now averaging 4.9 points and 3.4 rebounds per game for the Beach.

• Redshirt freshman Shaden Knight drew a critical foul and sank two free throws with 1.6 seconds remaining against CSU Bakersfield to send the game to overtime in LBSU's win over the Runners. Knight is fourth on the team in assists, and is shooting 42.9 percent from three this season.

• Another local product, redshirt freshman Justin Rene scored a career-high six points at San Francisco. The former Long Beach Poly player is averaging 1.7 points per game in his first season of action at Long Beach State.

• Sophomore Jeffrey Yan has been playing increased minutes for the Beach in his second season, including a career-high 22 minutes in the overtime win against CSU Bakersfield. The China native played in 12 games a year ago as a redshirt freshman, and has taken on an increased role this year.

• Senior Jordan Roberts is Long Beach State's active leader in most career categories. Playing in 97 games over his first three seasons, Roberts was second on the team in blocks a year ago and averaged 5.1 points per game. The senior has scored in double-figures 19 times, including a career-high 19 at UC Davis. Roberts has yet to play in 2020-21 due to injury.

• Two other forward transfers have yet to debut for the Beach. Teddy Ochieng was initially recruited by CSUN where he played in four games before a season-ending injury. Ochieng moved on to Panola CC where he averaged double-figures before returning to Division I, but is currently out with injury. The Beach also lost Alabama transfer Raymond Hawkins III, who suffered a season-ending knee injury prior to the start of the season. A highly-rated recruit, Hawkins III was the No. 3 recruit in Nevada following a season at Findlay Prep, where he averaged 14.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game before playing in six games with the Crimson Tide.