Beach Shows Good Fight But Falls Short At No. 16 USC

Sunday, December 12

Los Angeles, Calif.

2 p.m.

Long Beach State University

3-7,0-0Big West

USC

10-0,2-0Pac-12

Team	1	2	F
Long Beach St.	38	24	62
Southern California	38	35	73

Photo by: John Fajardo

12/12/2021 5:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - USC Photo Gallery

Long Beach State went into halftime tied with the Trojans, but could not recover from a cold second-half start.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LOS ANGELES – Long Beach State went toe-to-toe on the road with the No. 16 team in the country, but USC was able to hold off the Beach down the stretch in a 73-62 defeat for LBSU on the road. Joel Murray led the way for LBSU with 14 points, while Colin Slater and Romelle Mansel also both finished in double-figures.

Long Beach State (3-7) grabbed the early momentum, taking a quick five-point lead in the opening minutes. USC (10-0) would pull back in front at 21-16 but the Beach would have an answer, as Murray put the Beach up 30-29. A corner three from Drew Cobb looked to set the Beach up with a three-point edge at the break, but a late three at the buzzer for the Trojans sent the teams into the locker rooms tied at 38-38.

USC broke the game open with a 14-0 run to start the second half as the lid clamped down on the basket for the Beach. LBSU didn't quit, however, and cut the lead back to eight at 62-54. On the ensuing possession, Long Beach State would get four chances after three straight offensive rebounds, but were unable to convert and USC answered with a 3-pointer to put the lead back up to 11 with just under six minutes remaining and hamper Long Beach State's comeback efforts.

Romelle Mansel now with eight points, including this slam! Beach has pulled to within eight points of USC, trailing 62-54 with 7:24 left to play. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/xIQaGv4EUQ
— LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) December 12, 2021

On the night, Long Beach State won the rebounding battle 35-34 and had 15 offensive rebounds, led by Aboubacar Traore who finished with 8 rebounds, including six offensive. The Trojans would hit 10 threes on the night to mitigate Long Beach State's efforts in the paint, and stayed unbeaten on the year.

Long Beach State will have a quiet week for Finals, returning to action at home on Saturday, December 18 at 6 p.m. in the Walter Pyramid against La Sierra.