The Long Beach State men’s basketball team didn’t let the laid-back Hawaii lifestyle affect their play in the opening round of the Diamond Head Classic–defeating No. 15-ranked Xavier 68-58.
The Beach [6-5] took advantage of the fact that two of the Musketeers [8-2] starters were suspended for this game, jumping on top early, and never looking back.
Xavier’s second leading scorer, junior guard Mark Lyons [17.4 per game] and their third leading scorer freshman forward Dezmine Wells [9.5 per game] were both unable to play due to their part in a fight that took place earlier this month against Cincinnati.
Nevertheless, senior point guard Casper Ware said the team arrived in Honolulu with one thing in mind–win the tournament.
“It was very important for us to win this game because we’re looking to go to the [NCAA] tournament.” Ware said in an interview with ESPN, “We came in here to win this tournament to make sure we get to the big dance.”
If freshman guard Mike Caffey continues to play the way he did tonight, The Beach should have no problem making it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007.
Caffey led the way for the ‘Niners, scoring a career high 14 points on 5 of 8 shooting, including 2 of 4 from the 3-point line.
Ware said that Caffey was the key to victory on the evening.
“After the game, I told him [Caffey] that we really needed that.” He said, “Everyone else was kind of stagnant early on, and he really got us going.”
Four other ‘Niners were able to post double digit scoring nights–Ware scored 12 points and came up huge on the boards, grabbing eight on the night; he also dished out five assists. Senior guard Larry Anderson scored 12 points on 4 of 9 shooting while pulling down five rebounds and picking up three steals.
Senior forward Eugene Phelps finished with 12 points on 5 of 7 shooting and pulled down five rebounds. Senior forward T.J. Robinson put in 11 points on 4 of 6 shooting and also grabbed five boards.
The ‘Niners were able to force 15 turnovers on the night, which lead to plenty of fastbreak opportunities. LBSU head coach Dan Monson said he was pleased with his teams balanced scoring, but this game was all about defense.
“We’ve got four seniors who have started since day one.” Monson said in an interview with ESPN, “That balance has been our strength, today wasn’t an offensive game, it was a game won by defense.”
The Beach held Xavier to 21 first half points, their second lowest scoring opening period of the season–taking an eight point advantage into halftime.
The ‘Niners started the second half with a 12-4 run, pushing the lead 41-25 and never relinquished the lead. A Ware 3-pointer put the 49ers up 63-45, giving them their biggest lead of the game.
The Musketeers brought the lead back down to 12 while leaning on All-American senior guard Tu Holloway–who was back after a one-game suspension, but wouldn’t get closer than 10 points for the rest of the game.
Holloway played all 40 minutes and finished with 17 points on 6 of 12 shooting.
Monson praised Ware’s defensive job on Holloway.
“Casper did a heck of a job on Tu [Holloway].” He said, “I know he had 17 [points], but he had to work for them.
Freshman forward Justin Martin made his first start for the Musketeers in Wells absence and pitched in 12 points on 5 of 8 shooting.
The ‘Niners will be back in action tomorrow night at 8 p.m. [PT] against the winner of Auburn vs. Hawaii.
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