Long Beach State Battles Back But Comes Up Short In 76-74 Loss To UCSB

Thursday, March 7

Long Beach, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

18-13,10-9Big West

UC Santa Barbara

16-13,9-10Big West

UC Santa Barbara

Long Beach St.

Long Beach State Battles Back But Comes Up Short In 76-74 Loss To UCSB

3/7/2024 10:41:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score Box Score - UC Santa Barbara

Marcus Tsohonis finished with 25 points to lead the Beach in the defeat.

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

LONG BEACH, Calif. – Long Beach State rallied from an 11-point second half deficit to take the lead in the closing minutes against UC Santa Barbara, and battled to give themselves a late opportunity but the Gauchos held on for a 76-74 victory Thursday night in the Walter Pyramid.

                A 3-pointer from Marcus Tsohonis gave Long Beach State (18-13, 10-9 Big West) a 69-68 lead with just under two minutes remaining, but UC Santa Barbara (16-13, 9-10 Big West) answered with a pair of three-point plays to take a five point lead with a minute to play.

                Three free throws for the Beach cut the lead to two with 42 seconds to play, but the Gauchos picked up two foul shots of their own as Ajay Mitchell sank two free throws to finish off his game-high 37. A Tsohonis layup cut the lead back to two points with eight seconds remaining. With the possession arrow favoring the Gauchos, the Beach forced a held ball followed by a deflection to get a chance to tie or take the lead with five seconds remaining.

                Tsoshonis was fouled, but missed the first of two free throws forcing Long Beach State to miss the second and try for the rebound. A late heave from Tsohonis nearly went in for the Beach in what would have been an epic ending, but UC Santa Barbara held on for the win.

                UC Santa Barbara had a hot night shooting led by Mitchell, but also had a big night from Cole Anderson who was 4-for-6 from three. That duo started the game 7-of-10 from three to rally the Gauchos to a nine-point lead at 20-11, matching the halftime edge of 37-28.

                Still down nine at 59-50, Long Beach State started a run with a Jadon Jones fast break basket and cut the lead to two at 63-31 before tying the game at 66-66 all with a pair of free throws.

                Jones finished with 18 points, Lassina Traore had his 13th double-double of the year with 12 points and 12 rebounds, while Aboubacar Traore had 7 points, 11 rebounds and 7 assists.

                Long Beach State will still have the opportunity to secure an opening round bye in the upcoming Big West Championship with a victory Saturday against UC Davis in the Walter Pyramid. The Beach will recognize their five seniors pregame and then play with the opportunity to finish as high as third in the seeding for the tournament. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m., with the senior ceremony starting approximately 2:45.