Jason R. Aula
(Photo credit: Zak Krill | The Orange County Register)
LOS ANGELES, California — LBSU was able to hold onto control of the Big West Conference Championships for the upset win against number one seeded UC Irvine. At the end of the first half Long Beach State (20-14, 10-10) led by nine 47-38. Prior, to the 83-79 LBSU win, the best win of the season to date was the non-conference USC and Bronny James victory.
“How they responded all week has been a testament to their character, what kind of people they are and what kind of family they are,” Long Beach State University coach Dan Monson said, “Our guys have worked to get where they are.”
Aboubacar Traore led all scorers with 20 points and eight rebounds. Marcus Tsohonis and Jadon Jones chipped in 15 points each for Long Beach State. Lassina Traore put up nine points and grabbed 10 boards.
“We’ve made it a priority to start playing for each other,” Jones said. “I’m not playing for my stats, I’m not playing for my glory, I’m playing to help everyone to go to where they want to go in life. And we know we have to win in order to do that.”
UC Irvine was led by Justin Hohn with 19 points. Pierre Crockwell II, added 18 points for the Anteaters at the Dollar Loan Center.
A win at the conference tournament final would give LBSU the Big West Conference Championship and automatic NCAA Tournament bid. 2012 was the last year Coach Monson and LBSU had a March Madness appearance. The win and 2024 NCAA tourney bid would be long overdue for Long Beach State.
UP NEXT: Long Beach State (20-14, 10-10) faces UC Davis (20-12, 14-6) at the Big West Conference Championships Final on Saturday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, Nevada. Live coverage on ESPN 2.
“How they responded all week has been a testament to their character, what kind of people they are and what kind of family they are,” Long Beach State University coach Dan Monson said, “Our guys have worked to get where they are.”
Aboubacar Traore led all scorers with 20 points and eight rebounds. Marcus Tsohonis and Jadon Jones chipped in 15 points each for Long Beach State. Lassina Traore put up nine points and grabbed 10 boards.
“We’ve made it a priority to start playing for each other,” Jones said. “I’m not playing for my stats, I’m not playing for my glory, I’m playing to help everyone to go to where they want to go in life. And we know we have to win in order to do that.”
UC Irvine was led by Justin Hohn with 19 points. Pierre Crockwell II, added 18 points for the Anteaters at the Dollar Loan Center.
A win at the conference tournament final would give LBSU the Big West Conference Championship and automatic NCAA Tournament bid. 2012 was the last year Coach Monson and LBSU had a March Madness appearance. The win and 2024 NCAA tourney bid would be long overdue for Long Beach State.
UP NEXT: Long Beach State (20-14, 10-10) faces UC Davis (20-12, 14-6) at the Big West Conference Championships Final on Saturday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, Nevada. Live coverage on ESPN 2.
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