Long Beach State Edges CSUN 70-66

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NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---CSUN Men's Basketball's late rally fell just short in the Matadors' 70-66 loss to Long Beach State Saturday evening at The Matadome. Seniors Tavrion Dawson posted his 11th career double-double, finishing with 29 points on 11-of-13 shooting to go with 10 rebounds while Micheal Warren collected 17 points and 10 rebounds for his second-career double-double. CSUN scored nine unanswered points to trim an 11-point deficit to two with 15 seconds left, but the 49ers hit two late free throws to seal the win.

"I thought it was a very well played basketball game," said head coach Reggie Theus. "I commended our guys' effort and how hard they played the entire game. [Long Beach State] is a team that got 40 points in the paint against us last time and this time we were 36-36 in the paint. I thought Tavrion was tremendous today, him and Mikey both played extremely well.

There was a stretch there in the game where four or five bunnies around the basket [were missed] that really stopped us from taking advantage in the game," continued Theus. "I told the guys that we could analyze this, but down the stretch we didn't make the plays we needed to win the game. But they battled and I'm really proud of that. We are consistently getting better, that's a positive for us. The guys are playing for each other, and they're playing defense for each other."

The Matadors finished shooting 41.3 percent from the field compared to the 49ers who shot an even 50.0 percent. CSUN hit 7-of-21 (33.3 percent) from the 3-point arc and 7-of-9 (77.8 percent) from the free throw line. Long Beach State went 4-for-11 (36.4 percent) from downtown but went to the free throw line with regularity, shooting 16-for-21 (76.2 percent). The 49ers also held a slight 35-32 edge in rebounding and came away with a 26-5 advantage in bench points.

CSUN trailed for most of the night but stayed within striking distance throughout the contest. Scoring 16 points in the first half, Dawson nailed all six of his shot attempts including three from beyond the 3-point arc. After the Matadors went down 16-10, Dawson hit the Matadors' next five goal attempts. Long Beach State built a nine-point lead with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half but the Matadors went on a 9-3 run behind Dawson to pull within 28-25.

Terrell Gomez would hit another shot from beyond the 3-point arc to trim the deficit to 31-29 with 4:33 left to go. Moments later, Jonathan Guevara nailed a 3-pointer of his own to bring CSUN within a point. CSUN trailed 35-32 before baskets from Reggie Theus Jr. and Warren gave the Matadors their first lead at 36-35 with 40 seconds remaining. However, the 49ers would go into the break leading 37-36 following a late basket from Jordan Griffin. The Matadome went into a frenzy after Guevara hit a half court shot but his attempt came after the halftime buzzer sounded.

The score remained close in the early minutes of the second half. Dawson brought the Matadors even on a driving layup (44-44) but the 49ers would remain in front. Long Beach State went on a key 8-0 run, taking advantage of three CSUN turnovers and two missed layups, to lead 58-49.

Warren brought the Matadors within seven on a layup but the Beach scored four-straight points to open up a 68-57 lead with 2:37 left to play. Trailing by their biggest margin, the Matadors would go to work and mount one last rally.

After Warren hit a 3-pointer from straight away, the Matadors would force a 49er turnover on the ensuing possession. Dawson knocked down a jumper in the lane to bring CSUN within six (68-62) with 1:34 left to go. CSUN forced another turnover leading to a drive from Warren but his shot came up just short. A scramble would ensue on the floor leading to another Matador possession where Dawson scored. Following a CSUN foul, Deishuan Booker missed a free throw, giving the Matadors an opportunity to pull closer on a score from Guevara with 15 ticks on the clock.

CSUN fouled the 49ers' Gabe Levin who knocked down two crucial free throws to stretch the lead back to four. The Matadors marched up the floor but missed the final shot of the game as the final horn sounded.

For the 49ers, Levin led the way with 19 points to go with seven rebounds. Deishuan Booker finished with 12 points and six assists.

The Matadors return to Big West action next Thursday as they host UC Davis on ESPN3 at 7 p.m. An audio only broadcast will be available on CSUN Sports Network presented by Dignity Health with Ghizal Hasan and Alan Zinsmeister on the call.

Long Beach State Edges CSUN 70-66

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Team Stats

Tavrion Dawson

Micheal Warren

Terrell Gomez

Jonathan Guevara

Players Mentioned

Tavrion Dawson

Terrell Gomez

Jonathan Guevara

Reggie Theus Jr.

Micheal Warren