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    Long Beach State can’t overcome slow start in loss to CSUN
    • January 24, 2025

    NORTHRIDGE — TJ Wainwright came through with another big individual effort, but the Long Beach State men’s basketball team couldn’t overcome a 22-point halftime deficit as its Big West Conference struggles continued.

    Wainwright scored a game-high 27 points, going 6 for 7 from 3-point range, and led a furious second-half rally but Long Beach lost to Cal State Northridge, 86-76, on Thursday night at CSUN.

    Scotty Washington had 19 points and Marcus Adams Jr. had 17 to lead six double-figure scorers for CSUN (13-6 overall, 5-3 Big West). Keonte Jones added 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists, and PJ Fuller II had 12 points and five assists. Grady Lewis had 10 points and seven rebounds, and Tyler Beard contributed 10 points, five rebounds and four assists.

    The Matadors outrebounded their guests 39-23, including 16 offensive rebounds, leading to a 48-24 advantage in points in the paint and a 15-8 margin in second-chance points.

    CSUN dominated the early minutes of the game, making its first six shots (including a trio of 3-pointers) to open a 15-6 lead. The Matadors stretched the margin to 25-10 about seven minutes into the game.

    Wainwright got rolling with a three-point play, and Long Beach (7-13, 3-5 Big West) got within 27-19 on a fast-break finish from Cam Denson, but the Matadors responded. CSUN shot 61% in the first half to take control, with 11 offensive rebounds leading to 10 points and the Matadors closed the half on a 21-7 run for a 57-35 lead at the intermission.

    CSUN extended its lead to 28 points early in the second half, but LBSU began to battle back. Derrick Michael Xzavierro scored LBSU’s first second-chance points of the game to stop the run, and the momentum began to turn. Two straight 3-pointers from TJ Wainwright cut the margin to 17 points with 13:38 to play, and Long Beach continued to chip away, pulling within 81-71 on a 3-pointer from Devin Askew with 6:05 left.

    The rally stalled from there. Mahmoud Fofana dunked after CSUN broke a full-court press. Moments later, a 3-pointer from Fuller gave CSUN an 86-71 lead. The Matadors only allowed one field goal over the final 3:45 to hand Long Beach its fifth loss in the past six games.

    Wainwright, who had 31 points in a loss to Cal State Fullerton on Saturday, shot 8 for 13 from the field and 5 for 5 from the free-throw line in this one. Kam Martin scored 13 points, Austin Johnson had 12, while Askew finished with 10 points and a career-high 10 assists for his first double-double with LBSU.

    UP NEXT

    LBSU travels to San Luis Obispo to take on Cal Poly on Saturday at 2 p.m. CSUN plays at UC San Diego on Saturday at 7 p.m.

    ​ Orange County Register 

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