Jason R. Aula
(Photo credit: Isaac Hale | Associated Press)
LOS ANGELES, California — Arizona men's basketball lights up Long Beach State during second half 17-2 run en route to March Madness blowout 85-65 win in the opening round of the NCAA tournament. Long Beach State was down 41 to 35 at the half but could have been tied or ahead by the same number of points with better luck at the rim and more hustle from starters. 15-seed Long Beach State (21-15) is not defined by a loss to 2-seed Arizona (26-8) in its's NCAA Tournament appearance. The loss does not erase the Long Beach State team's success this year, including a Big West tournament championship.
“It’s been a heck of a ride,” Dan Monson said. As LBSU's most winning coach Dan Monson (275-273) has won four coach of the year awards, three Big West championships, and a 2012 NCAA tournament appearance. Dan Monson also led Gonzaga to the 1999 NCAA tournament and Minnesota to the 2005 NCAA tournament and has a career record of 445 wins and 396 losses.
Long Beach State was led by Aboubacar Traore's double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Off the bench Amari Stroud added 14 points and AJ George chipped in 12 points for LBSU.
Arizona was led by the double-doubles of Caleb Love and Oumar Ballo. Kylan Boswell lead all scorers with 20 and Pelle Larsson chipped in 15 points for the Wildcats. Keshan Johnson added 13 points for Arizona having starting Wildcats in double figures.
"If we’re the one that jump starts them to go win a national championship,” Dan Monson said, “I can always let him know that I helped ‘cause family helps each other.”
The 2024 NCAA tournament appearance was the 10th in Long Beach State program history.
“It’s been a heck of a ride,” Dan Monson said. As LBSU's most winning coach Dan Monson (275-273) has won four coach of the year awards, three Big West championships, and a 2012 NCAA tournament appearance. Dan Monson also led Gonzaga to the 1999 NCAA tournament and Minnesota to the 2005 NCAA tournament and has a career record of 445 wins and 396 losses.
Long Beach State was led by Aboubacar Traore's double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Off the bench Amari Stroud added 14 points and AJ George chipped in 12 points for LBSU.
Arizona was led by the double-doubles of Caleb Love and Oumar Ballo. Kylan Boswell lead all scorers with 20 and Pelle Larsson chipped in 15 points for the Wildcats. Keshan Johnson added 13 points for Arizona having starting Wildcats in double figures.
"If we’re the one that jump starts them to go win a national championship,” Dan Monson said, “I can always let him know that I helped ‘cause family helps each other.”
The 2024 NCAA tournament appearance was the 10th in Long Beach State program history.
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