Men’s Basketball Unable To Keep Up With No. 8 UCLA

Friday, November 11

Los Angeles, Calif.

8 p.m.

Long Beach State University

1-1,0-0Big West

UCLA

2-0,0-0Pac-12

Long Beach St.

UCLA

Photo by: John Fajardo

11/11/2022 11:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

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50 percent shooting from three for the Bruins in the first half paced the Bruins to a lead the Beach couldn’t surmount.

By: Roger Kirk, Associate Athletics Director, Communications & Broadcast

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Long Beach State got off to a quick start, but No. 8 UCLA had the stronger responding run, opening up a 15-point halftime lead on the way to a 93-69 home defense against the Beach Friday night in Pauley Pavilion.

                Quick baskets from Lassina Traore and Marcus Tsohonis helped stake Long Beach State (1-1) to an early 8-2 lead over No. 8 UCLA (2-0), but the Beach had a sloppy stretch with four turnovers that led to Bruin points as the home team went on a 19-3 run to put UCLA on top by 12 with just under nine minutes played.

                Long Beach State was able to stop that run with a Tobias Rotegaard three, but cut the lead back to seven points with just under 10 minutes left in the half, but hot shooting from three from the Bruins helped UCLA extend their lead once more. Shooting 6-for-12 from three in the first half, that helped the Bruins take a 48-33 lead into the locker room.

                In the second half, Long Beach State was able to shore up the perimeter defense, but the Bruins continued to capitalize on second chance points and points off of turnovers, keeping Long Beach State at bay throughout the evening.

                Lassina Traore led the way with 14 points to go with seven rebounds for the Beach, while Joel Murray and Jadon Jones also finished in double figures with Murray handing out a career-high seven assists. Abobuacar Traore shared in the rebounding lead with Lassina with seven boards, while Jason Hart Jr. and Maddox Monson each made their collegiate debuts, with Monson hitting a 3-pointer for LBSU.

                After two road games, Long Beach State will now return home to the Walter Pyramid on Sunday, hosting an NCAA Tournament Team from a year ago in Montana State at 4 p.m. Parking will be free all weekend in the Pyramid adjacent lots as the campus celebrates the first weekend of basketball. Tickets are available now at www.longbeachstate.com.