Beach Runs Winning Streak To Four With 73-67 Victory Over UC Irvine

Saturday, January 22

Long Beach, Calif.

1 p.m.

Long Beach State University

8-9,3-1Big West

UC Irvine

6-7,1-3Big West

UC Irvine

Long Beach St.

Photo by: John Fajardo

Beach Runs Winning Streak To Four With 73-67 Victory Over UC Irvine

1/22/2022 4:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - UC Irvine

Joel Murray scored 24 points as the Beach held off UC Irvine in a thriller.

By: Roger Kirk, Assistant Athletics Director, Athletic Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Black and Blue Rivalry did not disappoint as the Big West Game of the Week, with LBSU coming out on top of UC Irvine in a 73-67 victory Saturday afternoon.

                In a game that featured 11 lead changes, Long Beach State (8-9, 3-1 Big West) was able to find the answers down the stretch to capture a fourth straight win. Joel Murray finished with 24 points to lead all scorers, while true freshman Aboubacar Traore set career highs with 19 points and four blocks to go with seven rebounds.

                Missing senior captain Drew Cobb due to COVID protocols, the Beach was still able to put together a strong defensive effort in the win over UC Irvine (6-7, 1-3 Big West). The 'Eaters took an early lead at 13-6, but the Beach bounced back as a Jadon Jones three was the catalyst for a run that saw the Beach regain the lead at 17-15 after a Murray 3-pointer.

                A tight game coming out of halftime with LBSU in front 30-29, two big runs were the story of the second half. With Long Beach State leading 40-38, the Beach would go on a 14-3 run to take their largest lead of the game at 54-41 with just over ten minutes left, forcing a UC Irvine timeout.

UC Irvine timeout after this putback as Beach on a run. 54-41 with 10::23 to go. #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/bLyXBON98H
— LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) January 22, 2022

That helped stem the tide for UC Irvine, and the 'Eaters answered with a big run of their own, a 12-2 run that would put UCI on top 59-58 with 3:45 remaining.

Down one with just under three minutes left, Colin Slater hit a cruicial three to put the Beach on top, and the senior delivered again on the next trip down the floor to once again give Long Beach State the lead at 66-64.

Colin Slater for three! Beach back in front as we hit the stretch run! #GoBeach pic.twitter.com/Xvrixa308I
— LBSU Mens Basketball (@LBSUhoops) January 22, 2022

                Three key stops from that point helped the Beach build their cushion before a late Justin Hohn 3-pointer, and two final free throws from Slater sealed the victory for the Beach.

                Long Beach State has now won four straight, the longest streak since the end of the 2018-19 campaign, and is now 6-0 when holding their opponent under 70 points.

                The Beach will hit the road next week for a pair of games, playing UC Riverside at 7 p.m. on Thursday before facing UC Davis at 1 p.m. on Saturday in another Big West Game of the Week, featured on Spectrum SportsNet.