Long Beach State Shines Bright In Return To Walter Pyramid In Blowout Victory

Monday, December 19

Long Beach, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

5-6,0-0Big West

Life Pacific

1-4

LIFE Pacific

Long Beach St.

Photo by: John Fajardo

Long Beach State Shines Bright In Return To Walter Pyramid In Blowout Victory

12/19/2022 9:53:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - Life Pacific Photo Gallery

Long Beach State had five in double-figures and two double-doubles in a 45-point win over Life Pacific.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. – After six games away from home, Long Beach State returned to the Walter Pyramid and took their home court back by storm, piling up 97 points, 61 rebounds and 31 assists in a convincing 97-52 win over Life Pacific on Monday night.

                Long Beach State (5-6) had five players in double-figures on the night, as Lassina Troare and Aboubacar Traore dominated on the inside. The duo increased their Big West lead as each finished with a double-double. Lassina Traore led all scorers with 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Aboubacar Traore had the more well-rounded night, finishing with 10 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists and four steals.

                Chayce Polynice also finished with a career-high 16 points, while Joel Murray scored 17 and Marcus Tsohonis chipped in 10 with seven rebounds. In the end, every player suited for Long Beach State scored on the night.

                The Beach finished four away from the school record of 35 assists on the night, with Tone Hunter leading the way with eight though six players had three or more assists on the night.

                The night got off to a rocky startas Life Pacific (8-4, Exhib.), the NAIA school from San Dimas, bounced back from an opening basket from the Beach and controlled the opening minutes, opening up an 11-4 lead and forcing a quick timeout from Dan Monson.

                The Beach responded however, going on a 24-1 run to open up a 16-point lead. Long Beach State ultimately held Life Pacific to just 11 points in the final 17 minutes of the first half to take a 51-22 lead into the locker room. With a stranglehold on the contest, the Beach cruised in the second half, getting extended minutes for Jeffrey Yan and Maddox Monson as well as Jadon Jones, who returned Monday after a three-week absence due to injury.

                Long Beach State is back in the Walter Pyramid in two days as the team plays its final non-conference game of the season. The Beach will host Idaho at 7 p.m. Wednesday night, with live coverage of the contest on ESPN+.