Dominant First Half Leads Long Beach State Past Hawai’i

Thursday, January 18

Long Beach, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

12-7,4-3Big West

Hawai'i

10-8,2-4Big West

Hawaii

Long Beach St.

Photo by: John Fajardo

1/18/2024 9:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - Hawai'i Photo Gallery

Marcus Tsohonis had 20 points, Jadon Jones had 19 as the Beach grabbed another home win.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. – In the first half Thursday night Long Beach State shot 75% from the floor and 100% from three, making 14 assists with one turnover while also producing a defensive effort to match the explosive offense to set the foundation for a 79-71 win over Hawai'i.

                Hawai'i (10-8, 2-4 Big West) never led by more than a point as the teams traded baskets in the early minutes, and then Long Beach State (12-7, 4-3 Big West) broke the game open with an 11-0 run sparked by an AJ George bucket and a Jadon Jones three, never again trailing on the night.

                Incredible shooting overall helped Long Beach State open up a huge advantage, leading by as many as 21 in the first half behind 18-of 24 shooting from the floor while holding the Rainbow Wahine to just 22 points until the final minute of the first half.

                The Rainbow Warriors got a lift in the second half behind 81% foul shot shooting to cut into the Long Beach State lead, but never truly threatened, pulling within single-digits only in the final minutes of the contest.

                Jadon Jones was a perfect 8-for-8 from the floor, and made a trio of 3-pointers to pass Mike Caffey for fifth all-time in career made threes at Long Beach State with 178 to go along with four steals on the evening, Marcus Tsohonis had his fifth 20+ game of the season, and Aboubacar Traore had another box score stuffing night with seven assists, eight rebounds and 11 points. Lassina Traore also had 13 points with six rebounds to also finish in double-figures Thursday night.

                Long Beach State will get their first bye of the conference season with Saturday off, and then return to the Walter Pyramid for a critical home game in the Black and Blue Rivalry on Thursday, January 25.