Thursday, March 14
Henderson, Nev.
8:30 p.m.
Long Beach State University
19-14,10-10Big West
86
vs
67
(5) UC Riverside
16-18,10-10Big West
1
2
F
UC Riverside
42
25
67
Long Beach St.
44
42
86
Aboubacar Traore Records First Triple-Double In Big West Championship History As Long Beach State Advances With Win Over UC Riverside
3/15/2024 12:14:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Aboubacar Traore finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists in the second triple-double in program history.
HENDERSON, Nev. – Aboubacar Traore recorded the first-ever triple-double in Big West Championship history, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists leading the way for Long Beach State to a win over UC Riverside in the second round of the tournament, an 86-67 victory.
The triple-double for Traore was just the second in program history, the first coming in 1990 by Tyrone Mitchell. Additionally, Lassina Traore had a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Ivory Coast duo dominated the contest in a complete performance from Long Beach State (19-14).
Lassina Traore got Long Beach State going early, scoring Long Beach State's first nine points as the Beach established an inside presence early. Neither team would more than a seven-point edge in a thrilling first half. Nate Pickens gave UC Riverside (16-18) a three-point lead, but Marcus Tsohonis answered with a triple for Long Beach State for an 18-18 tie.
Trading baskets for most of the rest of the half, UC Riverside led Long Beach State 42-41 into the closing seconds of the half, but Tsohonis hit another 3-pointer for the Beach as Long Beach State took a two-point lead into the half.
Despite the gaudy numbers for Long Beach State offensively, it was the defense that got the job done in the second half. Long Beach State held the Highlanders to just 25 points total in the second half, holding UC Riverside to just 24.2 percent shooting while pulling away for the win.
The Beach started the half on a 7-0 run, but a dry stretch offensively allowed UC Riverside to pull back one last time, taking a lead at 56-55 with just under 12 minutes to play. Aboubacar put the Beach back in the lead, and then up two 63-61, AJ George hit back-to-back 3-pointers to extend the lead to eight.
Up ten at 71-61 with six minutes remaining after a Lassina Traore basket, Long Beach State pulled away down the stretch and cruised into the semifinals with a 19-point win over the Highlanders.
In addition to the spectacular nights from Aboubacar Traore and Lassina Traore, George finished with 21 points to share in the team lead in scoring, while Tsohonis finished with 19 points on the evening.
With the win, Long Beach State advances to the semifinals of the Big West Championship and will face the regular season champions, the top-seeded UC Irvine Anteaters. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on delay on linear television on ESPNU.
The triple-double for Traore was just the second in program history, the first coming in 1990 by Tyrone Mitchell. Additionally, Lassina Traore had a double-double with 21 points and 11 rebounds as the Ivory Coast duo dominated the contest in a complete performance from Long Beach State (19-14).
Lassina Traore got Long Beach State going early, scoring Long Beach State's first nine points as the Beach established an inside presence early. Neither team would more than a seven-point edge in a thrilling first half. Nate Pickens gave UC Riverside (16-18) a three-point lead, but Marcus Tsohonis answered with a triple for Long Beach State for an 18-18 tie.
Trading baskets for most of the rest of the half, UC Riverside led Long Beach State 42-41 into the closing seconds of the half, but Tsohonis hit another 3-pointer for the Beach as Long Beach State took a two-point lead into the half.
Despite the gaudy numbers for Long Beach State offensively, it was the defense that got the job done in the second half. Long Beach State held the Highlanders to just 25 points total in the second half, holding UC Riverside to just 24.2 percent shooting while pulling away for the win.
The Beach started the half on a 7-0 run, but a dry stretch offensively allowed UC Riverside to pull back one last time, taking a lead at 56-55 with just under 12 minutes to play. Aboubacar put the Beach back in the lead, and then up two 63-61, AJ George hit back-to-back 3-pointers to extend the lead to eight.
Up ten at 71-61 with six minutes remaining after a Lassina Traore basket, Long Beach State pulled away down the stretch and cruised into the semifinals with a 19-point win over the Highlanders.
In addition to the spectacular nights from Aboubacar Traore and Lassina Traore, George finished with 21 points to share in the team lead in scoring, while Tsohonis finished with 19 points on the evening.
With the win, Long Beach State advances to the semifinals of the Big West Championship and will face the regular season champions, the top-seeded UC Irvine Anteaters. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on delay on linear television on ESPNU.
Team Stats
UCR
LBSU
FG%
.328
.545
3FG%
.250
.421
FT%
.810
.667
RB
33
44
TO
5
10
STL
5
2
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
21
FGM
8
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
19
FGM
7
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
8
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Men's BasketballForward
/ Men's BasketballGuard
/ Men's Basketball'24 '25 Men's Basketball Home Schedule Reveal
Tuesday, August 27
Introducing: 2024-2025 Long Beach State Men's Basketball Team.
Tuesday, July 02
Introducing - Men's Basketball Assistant Coach: Phil Scott
Wednesday, June 05
Introducing - Men's Basketball Assistant Coach: Anthony Santos
Thursday, May 30
