Men’s Basketball Wins Again, Dropping Cal State Fullerton In Titan Gym

Thursday, January 19

Long Beach, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

9-10,3-4Big West

CS Fullerton

10-10,4-4Big West

Cal St. Fullerton

Long Beach St.

Photo by: John Fajardo

Men’s Basketball Wins Again, Dropping Cal State Fullerton In Titan Gym

2/2/2023 10:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - Cal State Fullerton Photo Gallery

Marcus Tsohonis led Long Beach State with 21 points while Lassina Traore recorded a fifth straight double-double.

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

FULLERTON, Calif. – Long Beach State went on the road and quieted a packed Titan Gym with a strong defensive effort, locking up Cal State Fullerton on the final possession to come away with a 70-67 victory.

                Long Beach State (13-10, 7-4 Big West) extended their winning streak to five games, holding Cal State Fullerton (12-12, 6-6 Big West) to just 38.7 percent shooting from the field on the night.

                Marcus Tsohonis scored 21 points to lead the way for Long Beach State, while Lassina Traore continued to dominate inside, grabbing 17 rebounds to go with 10 points including a crucial late basket in his fifth double-double in a row.

                Long Beach State controlled the early action. Starting the game on a 5-0 run, AJ George hit Aboubacar Traore for a spectacular alley oop, and the Beach opened the game on a 13-3 run. The first four Titans baskets were all 3-pointers however to help Cal State Fullerton edge back into the contest. The Beach led by as many as eight in the final minutes of the half, but the Titans pulled to within two at 39-37 at halftime.

                Neither team would lead by more than four points throughout the rest of the contest in a thrilling second half.

                Cal State Fullerton took their largest lead of the contest after a Max Jones lay-in at 58-55 with just over eight minutes remaining, but the Beach would answer with a pair of Tsohonis buckets to retake the lead. On top by one at 63-62, a three-point play from AJ George put the Beach on top by four.

                The Titans cut the lead to one once more at 68-67, but Lassina Traore put in a jumper with 1:05 remaining to put the Beach back on top by three. AJ George made a block on Max Jones' first attempt to pull back, and the Beach clamped down on Wrightsell Jr. in the closing seconds, forcing a wild shot and coming away with the win in front of nearly 2,500 in Titan Gym.

                Rivalry week continues Saturday, as UC Irvine comes to the Walter Pyramid for the Black and Blue Rivalry. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. on ESPN+.