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Long Beach State’s Sunday matchup against USC was highly anticipated, as freshman Bronny James Jr. was expected to make his debut as a Trojan after going into cardiac arrest earlier this year.
The Galen Center was bouncing before the game even started, as the entire James family entered as the National Anthem was beginning. This didn’t phase Long Beach at first. They kept even with USC through the first minutes of the game.
“We were not worried about none of that, we’re worried about us,” starting junior guard Jadon Jones said. “We’re worried about Beach basketball, because we know that we take care of what we take care of, we control what we can control.”
The first half saw USC pull ahead, going on a 7-0 run. Jones drained a three to break up this run, which is when Bronny James was put in for the first time. Galen Center was ecstatic for this debut, helping the Trojans go on another 7-0 run.
Not only was USC controlling the offense, but they were dominant on defense too. Bronny James had a huge swat to block a scoring chance for Long Beach State. This big play on defense fueled the Trojans’ offense, as they went on an 8-0 run that was completed by a Vincent Iwuchukwu dunk.
Before they knew it, the Beach were trailing 45-30 at the end of the first half on a 15-point deficit.
“We ended the first half like ‘We’ll get back in there and make the next right play,’” head coach Dan Monson said. “I just kept telling them that we have to get back into this game.”
The second half saw the Beach make many right plays, as they were on the hunt to upset the home team.
Long Beach State is not new to massive upsets, as they defeated Michigan 94-86 earlier this year.
“We knew that we could play with the power five teams and win those games,” senior guard Marcus Tsohonis said. “We want to really come in here and just make a name for ourselves.”
They certainly made themselves known.
Long Beach State came out firing in the second half. They started on a 5-0 run before the Trojans broke it up with two successful free throws from Iwuchukwu and DJ Rodman.
However, the Beach didn’t lose their rhythm. They outscored the Trojans 44-29 in the second half, draining 13 of their points on free throws.
“That’s a big thing we’ve been talking about and trying to lock into,” Tsohonis said of the free throws. “Just get to that line, even if you’ve missed a couple, just keeping a clear mind that you’re going to make it.”
Tsohonis was 11-13 from the line, which proved to be massive in this close game where every single point mattered. The game looked like it was barely slipping away from Long Beach State, as they were down 74-72 with less than 15 seconds on the clock.
That’s when Marcus had some magic for everyone at the Galen Center.
With 3.9 seconds left on the clock, Tsohonis hit a jumper to tie the game at 74 points.
“The play right before that, I turned the ball over,” Tsohonis said. “So I thought, ‘We’re gonna get the ball back into your hands and let’s get it done.’ I just focused on getting my guys into overtime and then winning the game.”
Tsohonis did just that. The momentum from his electric jumper carried into overtime, as the Beach looked calm under pressure.
Long Beach State was dominant in the second half, and continued to dominate in the extra five minutes. Junior starting forward Aboubacar Traore had a huge block on Isaiah Collier, who was one of the leading scorers for the Trojans. This block helped keep the Beach above water, as they outscored the Trojans 10-5. Three of USC’s points came from free throws.
To end his 28-point stellar performance, Tsohonis drained two more free throws to end the game and complete the upset 84-79.
“It was great, we won,” Monson said. “But I was more proud of how we played and how we fought.”
While they celebrate this win, the Beach plan to keep fighting. Long Beach State will only have one more game leading up to Big West conference play, as they host Cal State Dominguez Hills on Dec. 19.
“We’re excited for what can come, we know what we can be,” Jones said. “So we just have to stay locked in and stay humble. Obviously, enjoy the win but continue to build, because at the end of the day, we haven’t won any championships yet.”
As Long Beach State moves into Big West play, Jones says they’re focusing on their defensive game.
“We know we can score with the best of them and I think we proved that tonight,” Jones said. “We just got to lock down and play defense. Just stay a unit, stay a chain, and lock in.”
Coach Monson shared this focus in preparation for conference play.
“It’s a very competitive league,” Monson said. “The Big West is no joke. We’re just trying to get better.”
Long Beach State kicks off Big West play on Dec. 28, as they travel to Cal State Fullerton.
