Last Second Attempt In And Out As Rally Comes Up Just Short Against Hawai’i

Saturday, February 18

Long Beach, Calif.

4 p.m.

Long Beach State University

15-13,9-7Big West

Hawai'i

19-8,10-5Big West

Hawaii

Long Beach St.

Photo by: John Fajardo

Last Second Attempt In And Out As Rally Comes Up Just Short Against Hawai’i

2/18/2023 8:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - Hawaii

A last-second attempt from Jadon Jones rimmed out at the buzzer as the Beach couldn’t get over the top of the Rainbow Warriors.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State roared to life with a massive charge late, tying the game at 66 in the closing minutes, but Hawai'i was able to do just enough to hold off the Beach in the end, 70-67 Saturday in the Walter Pyramid.

                Trailing by 13 with less the five minutes to play, Long Beach State (15-13, 9-7 Big West) scrambled to pull themselves back into the contest in the final minutes against Hawai'i (19-8, 10-5 Big West.). Down seven, the Beach found AJ George on a fast break to pull within two possessions, and then another push found Marcus Tsohonis on a wild play to cut the lead to three at 64-61.

                After pulling to within one at 64-63, the Rainbow Warriors hit a pair of free throws to extend the lead, but the Beach found Jadon Jones to tie the game at 66 with just over a minute remaining. Hawai'i answered on the next possession, and the Beach were fouled on their answer in the closing seconds. Tshohonis made the first but missed the second, forcing the Beach to foul.

                Kamaka Hepa made both to put the Rainbow Warriors on top by three once more, and Long Beach State found Jones once again with a look to tie, but it dribbled in and just out as Hawai'i survived the thrilling comeback.

THIS CLOSE. pic.twitter.com/EhnPGV87ta
— LBSU Men's Basketball (@LBSUMBB) February 19, 2023

Long Beach State fell behind early as the Rainbow Warriors opened the game on a 10-4 run and never trailed ultimately in the contest. Hawai'i outshot Long Beach State and outrebounded the Beach with big leads in both in the first half as UH staked a 39-29 lead at the half.

George led the way for Long Beach State with a career-high 20 points, while Lassina Traore, Tsohonis and Jones all also finished in double figures for Long Beach State. Long Beach State will face the league leaders in their next contest, taking on UC Santa Barbara on the road this Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.