Dominant First Half Leads Long Beach State Past St. Katherine 84-55

Saturday, November 19

Long Beach, Calif.

4 p.m.

Long Beach State University

2-2,0-0Big West

St. Katherine

0-2

St. Katherine

Long Beach St.

Photo by: John Fajardo

Dominant First Half Leads Long Beach State Past St. Katherine 84-55

11/19/2022 7:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - St. Katherine

The Beach clamped down defensively and held the Firebirds to 13 first-half points on the way to the win.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State had five players finish in double-figures, as Marcus Tsohonis led the way with 20 points and Aboubacar Traore added his second straight double-double as the Beach grabbed an early lead and never looked back in an 84-55 win over St. Katherine.

                Long Beach State (2-2) never trailed against St. Katherine (0-3), racing out to an 8-0 lead and never looking back in a dominant 20 minutes. Long Beach State held the Firebirds to 20.0 percent shooting from the field in the first half and just five made baskets. Utilizing their pressure defense, the Beach forced St. Katherine into 19 turnovers that led to 21 points, helping stake the Beach to a huge first half lead.

                Two quick threes from Jadon Jones got the Beach started, and then the Beach pounded away inside, ultimately finishing with 60 points in the paint and a 24-0 advantage on fast-break points. That edge helped the Beach open the game on a 16-3 run, and ultimately take a 20-point lead with five minutes remaining in the half after a fast break basket from Joel Murray.

                In the second half, the Beach were able to increase their edge to as many as 33 points. Improved shooting from outside from St. Katherine, who made six threes in the latter 20 helped the Firebirds keep the lead from growing any further as the contest finished 84-55.

                Five players for the Beach finished in double figures, led by 20 from Marcus Tsohonis, setting a season-best with his new program. Joel Murray chipped in 13 in just 20 minutes of action, while Abobucar Traore scored 11 points with 10 rebounds. Chayce Polynice added off of the bench, while Jones scored 10 after his two early threes. 11 of the 12 players that saw action for LBSU on Saturday scored.

                Next, the Beach will head to the Bahamas to take part in the Baha Mar Hoops Nassau Championship. Featuring a field of top mid-major programs, Long Beach State will open up against Oakland in the first of three games in three days on Friday, November 25.