Long Beach State rebounds to beat CSUN

NORTHRIDGE — After two heartbreaking last-second losses early in the Big West Conference game, Long Beach State led wire to wire for its first league win.

Joel Murray had 20 points and a career-best seven assists to lead an even effort as Long Beach led Cal State Northridge (84-74) Thursday night at the Matadome. Lassina Traore had 15 points and 16 rebounds for Long Beach (7-8 overall, 1-2 Big West), while Aboubacar Traore had 12 points and 10 rebounds. Jadon Jones made three 3-pointers on his way to 13 points and AJ George also scored 12 points.

Dionte Bostick had 22 points ahead of CSUN (3-11, 0-3). De’Sean Allen-Eikens added 15 points and Fidelis Okereke had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

LBSU — who lost last week at home to UC San Diego (in overtime) and UC Riverside — scored the first nine points of Thursday’s game. A pair of 3-pointers from Jones and a dominant first half from Lassina Traore helped Long Beach extend their first-half lead to as much as 15 points before leading 41-31 at halftime.

LBSU kept their foot on the gas early in the second half, and a fast break layup by Murray extended the lead to 57-37 at 14:31.

The Matadors clipped on the edge and got to 10 points with 2:12 remaining, but LBSU hit enough free throws on the stretch to maintain that lead and secure the win.

Long Beach had a 46-32 rebound advantage, resulting in a 46-34 lead in points in the suit and a 22-16 lead in points at second chances. LBSU shot 48.4% (31 for 64) from the field compared to 41.9% for CSUN (26 for 62).

NEXT

Long Beach State plays UC Irvine at 6 p.m. Saturday