Beach Falls In The Closing Seconds On The Road At UC Davis

Friday, February 12

Davis, Calilf.

3 p.m.

Long Beach State University

3-6,2-3Big West

UC Davis

5-6,2-3Big West

Long Beach St.

UC Davis

Photo by: John Fajardo

2/12/2021 5:42:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Long Beach State battled back behind a career-night from Joe Hampton, but came up just short.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

DAVIS, Calif. – Long Beach State rallied multiple times on the road at UC Davis, including tying the game on a 3-point play from Colin Slater in the final minute, but Ezra Manjon hit the game-winner for the Aggies with 1.2 seconds remaining to seal at 68-66 win in the first of two games in Davis.

                For Long Beach State (3-6, 2-3 Big West), there was excitement in just getting the game started, as the Beach exited their third pause of the season and hitting the floor for the first time since January 23, and playing in their first Big West game since January 9.

                Over the first ten minutes of the game, UC Davis (5-6, 2-3 Big West) opened up a 10-point lead, and overall the Aggies led for the majority of the game, as the Beach held a lead for just over a minute. While the Beach had a good night from the field, shooting 50% overall, the Aggies scored 21 points off of 20 Beach turnovers and held the Beach to just four 3-pointers to negate the other advantages on the night for LBSU.

                The Beach had a 44-30 edge in the paint as Joe Hampton returned to the starting lineup for Long Beach State and had a big night, scoring a career-high 18 points with six rebounds. Senior Drew Cobb also made his presence felt in his first extended run of the season, scoring eight points with a team-high eight rebounds to go with three assists.

                Down 10 still with just under four minutes remaining, Long Beach State went on a 10-1 run that was only snapped by a late basket from Caleb Fuller, handing UC Davis a 32-28 halftime lead.

                The Aggies pushed back out to an eight-point lead to start the half, but the Beach would pull back the edge and with an 8-0 run take a 43-39 lead on a fast break from Michael Carter III. UC Davis would quickly pull back in front, however, though the Aggies were unable to consistently move past a two-possession lead over the final 13 minutes.

                A quick layup from Carter III cut the lead to 65-63, and Manjon missed a free throw in the final 30 seconds setting up the late-game fireworks.

                In roster news for Long Beach State, Romelle Mansel returned after a lengthy absence, making his Big West debut with just over five minutes played. Isaiah Washington, Shaden Knight and RJ Rhoden did not travel for LBSU.

                Long Beach State, who split the first two Big West series will now try to flip the script and do it a third time, winning the second game scheduled to tip at 1 p.m. tomorrow in the Pavilion.