Late Rally Falls Just Short As Long Beach State Loses 63-61 To Portland

Saturday, November 16

Long Beach, Calif.

2 p.m.

Long Beach State University

1-3,0-0Big West

Portland

2-2,0-0WCC

Portland

Long Beach St.

Late Rally Falls Just Short As Long Beach State Loses 63-61 To Portland

11/16/2024 4:56:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - Portland Photo Gallery

The Beach had a chance to win it in the closing seconds but Devin Askew’s late three didn’t fall.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Holding Portland scoreless over the final three minutes gave Long Beach State a chance for a late rally but the buzzer beater from Devin Askew didn't fall as the Beach lost to Portland 63-61.

                The Beach trailed by as many as ten and were down eight after a pair of Vukasin Masic free throws with 3:26 remaining, but Long Beach State (1-3) who had played reasonably well to that point defensively clamped down. A pair of Cam Denson baskets cut the lead to four, and then a baseline layup from Ramel Lloyd Jr. cut the edge to two with 17 seconds remaining.

                Masic missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw, giving LBSU one last chance against Portland (2-2), but Askew's three-point attempt at the buzzer was off line and the Pilots were able to hang on for the win.

                Portland opened up the game on an 11-2 run, and led for the majority of the contest, but the Beach was able to battle back in the first half behind solid 3-point shooting. Hitting six threes in the half, the Beach took their first lead on an and one play from Cam Denson with just under six minutes remaining at 23-22, and were up 25-22 before the Pilots answered with a 6-0 run, holding onto a 35-30 lead at the half.

                Tied at 40-40 after a paint touch from Austin Johnson, the Pilots went on a 6-0 run and would lead by as many as ten at 54-44 before the Beach cut back into the lead.

                Long Beach State had 15 points off of the bench from Denson, who also led the team with nine rebounds, while Askew finished with 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Lloyd Jr. shared in the scoring lead with 15, while TJ Wainwright also hit double-figures on the night.

                The Beach held Portland to 42.3% shooting on the night and had six steals, while the battle on the glass was even at 37 apiece.

                A big test is up next for Long Beach State, who will hit the road to face No. 4 Gonzaga on the road in Spokane. Live coverage for that game will be on ESPN+, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20.