The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2023-24 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach State basketball for the 2023-24 season is sponsored by Nelson Farris.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach State men’s basketball for the 2023-24 season is sponsored by Arline & Mike Walter.
A strong defensive performance carried Long Beach State men’s basketball to a 77-73 win at DePaul in Chicago on Saturday.
The Beach (1-1) held DePaul to 21 points and 24 percent shooting in the first half and then held off a late comeback thanks in large part to good rebounding.
LBSU guard Marcus Tsohonis scored a team-high 22 points while junior Lassina Traore finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Aboubacar Traore chipped in 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Jadon Jones led the defense with four steals.
The Beach opened the game on a 8-2 run, and also had a 17-0 run in the first half, while building a 37-21 halftime lead.
LBSU outrebounded DePaul 45-28 including 15 offensive rebounds. A putback from Aboubacar Traore and free throws from Jones were key down the stretch to clinch the twelfth Power 6 conference win coming under coach Dan Monson.
Coming up this week, LBSU travels to face last year’s NCAA finalists San Diego State and Michigan.
