Beach Falls By Two In First Of Two Games At Hawai’i

Friday, February 26

Manoa, Hawaii

9 p.m.

Long Beach State University

5-8,4-5Big West

Hawai'i

9-8,7-8Big West

Long Beach St.

Hawaii

Photo by: John Fajardo

2/26/2021 11:36:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Chance Hunter’s last-second three didn’t fall as the Beach lost by two points for the third time in the last five games.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

HONOLULU, Hawai'i – Chance Hunter had a big night with 23 points, nine rebounds and four steals and had a great look to be the evening's hero, but the final shot didn't fall as Long Beach State fell in the first of two games at Hawai'i, 78-76.

                Long Beach State (5-8, 4-5 Big West) had an outstanding opportunity in the final seconds, as Casdon Jardine of Hawai'i (9-8, 7-8 Big West) threw the ball out of bounds with seven seconds remaining. The Beach were able to draw up a play for their hottest shooter in Hunter, who was open on the wing but the shot came up short as the Rainbow Warriors held on for the win.

                It was all Long Beach State in the first half. Going small with four guards in the starting lineup really paid off, as the Beach stormed to a 16-5 lead in the first six minutes. Long Beach State's lead would grow as large as 16 points on a jumper from Hunter with just over six minutes remaining. Hawai'i was able to settle down in the closing minutes of the half and cut the advantage to nine, but the Beach still shot 56.0 percent from the floor and 5-for-10 from three, opening up a 39-30 lead.

                The Beach led wire-to-wire in the first half, but Hawai'i was able to cut into the Long Beach State advantage in the second. Senior Isaiah Washington ended up with 17 points and a team-high four assists, but battled through cramps all evening and ended up playing a season-low 28 minutes.

                LBSU still shot well in the second half, but were out-done by red hot Hawai'i shooting that helped the Rainbow Warriors come back to take the win. Hawai'i was 5-of-7 from three in the second half and shot 63 percent from the floor. Hawai'i took its first lead at the ten-minute mark at 61-60, and neither team would lead by more than four the rest of the way.

                In addition to Hunter and Washington, Jadon Jones and Michael Carter III also began the game in the starting lineup and finished in double-figures for the Beach, as Jones scored 12 points and Carter III added 11.

                The two teams will play once again on Saturday, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. PT. Coverage will be provided at bigwest.org/watch.