Highs And Lows As Chance Hunter Sends LBSU To Overtime, But Beach Takes Another Close Defeat

Friday, March 5

Long Beach, Calif.

4 p.m.

Long Beach State University

5-10,4-7Big West

UC Irivne

15-8,9-4Big West

OT 1

UC Irvine

Long Beach St.

Photo by: Nick Koza/T.G.Sportstv1

Highs And Lows As Chance Hunter Sends LBSU To Overtime, But Beach Takes Another Close Defeat

3/5/2021 8:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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Hunter finished with his second double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Chance Hunter drilled a three at the buzzer to force overtime against UC Irvine in the first of two games with the Anteaters, but UCI staved off a second opportunity for the Beach in overtime to hold on for a 71-68 win on Friday.

                For Long Beach State (5-10, 4-7 Big West), its last six losses have all come by three points or less, and three coming in overtime as the Beach continues to play in extremely close contests.

                Friday was no exception as the first of two games in the Walter Pyramid of the Black and Blue Rivalry lived up to the name; a defensive affair with both teams coming up with opportunities to win.

                Chance Hunter played a big part in that, finishing with 15 points and 13 rebounds, recording his second double-double of the season to lead Long Beach State. His most important shot came at the end of regulation though, as the junior confidently nailed a three to tie the game at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.

We're headed to OVERTIME!!! Great shot by Chance Hunter, who now has 15 points to go with his 12 boards. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/1n9m8g2zag — LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) March 6, 2021

                UC Irvine (14-8, 9-4 Big West) led by three points with 39 seconds left, but Andre Henry missed the front end of a one and one and Michael Carter III finished off a paint touch to cut the lead to one. A traveling violation in the backcourt gave the Beach a chance to take the lead with just over 20 seconds remaining, but LBSU wasn't able to get the shot off and the 'Eaters were able to hold on for the win.

                In a very close affair throughout, neither team lead by more than six and there were 14 ties and nine lead changes. Both teams finished the game under 40 percent from the floor and were even on the boards at 42 apiece. The Beach had the edge with six made 3-pointers, three coming from Hunter, while UCI doubled up the Beach at the free throw line to help take the win, 16-8.

                The teams return to the Walter Pyramid for the final game of the regular season for both programs. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3.