Men’s Basketball Battles Back But Falls On The Road At Portland In Season Opener

Monday, November 6

Portland, Ore.

7:30 p.m.

Long Beach State University

0-1,0-0Big West

Portland

1-0,0-0WCC

Long Beach St.

Portland

Photo by: John Fajardo

Men’s Basketball Battles Back But Falls On The Road At Portland In Season Opener

11/6/2023 10:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - Portland

Junior Jadon Jones finished with a team-high 23 points to lead three in double-figures for Long Beach State.

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

PORTLAND, Ore. – After surrendering a 12-2 run to open the game on the road at Portland, Long Beach State rallied to lead by three with just over eight minutes remaining, but the Pilots were able to hold on for a 78-73 win in the season opener for both teams.

                Junior Jadon Jones finished with 23 points and converted on an astounding three four-point plays on Monday night, leading a Long Beach State (0-1) offense that saw three in double-figures. Portland native Marcus Tsohonis finished with 17 points, while Aboubacar Traore added 16 points in a stat-stuffing night to go with a team-high nine rebounds and five assists.

                Portland (1-0) was on the front foot after the opening tip, starting up the game on a 12-2 run that set the early tone. The Beach would slowly climb back into the game, as a Tsohonis 3-pointer cut the lead to three with eight minutes remaining, and a triple from newcomer Messiah Thompson gave Long Beach State their first lead of the contest with 2:46 to play in the first half.

                Both teams continued to search for an edge in the second half, trading the advantage until Long Beach State took their largest lead of contest after the second of Jones' three 4-point plays with just over eight minutes to play.

                Portland responded with a 10-0 run capped by a Vukasin Masic three, part of his game-high 25 points to lead the Pilots. The Beach battled back with one last push to cut the edge to two points, but strong free throw shooting, along with foul trouble from the LBSU big men allowed Portland to finish off their opening day win.

                Long Beach State will remain on the road and face their second opponent of the season, DePaul, Saturday in a nationally televised game on Fox Sports 2 tipping off at 7 p.m. PT.