In its final tune-up before Big West Conference play, the Long Beach State men’s basketball team dropped a 72-55 decision to Arizona State on Tuesday in Tempe.
ASU (6-4) pushed a six-point halftime lead to 18 with a 16-4 run to open the second half at Wells Fargo Arena. LBSU (5-8), which led just once midway through the first half, cut the deficit to 60-50 with 5:44 remaining but would get no closer.
Three 49ers scored in double figures led by senior Greg Plater’s 15. Junior forward T.J. Robinson added his seventh double-double of the season with 12 points and 13 rebounds for The Beach, which shot just 33 percent (16-of-48) and committed 18 turnovers.
LBSU junior Casper Ware, who was one of 66 players nominated Monday for the Bob Cousy Award given to the nation’s top point guard, finished with 12 points and six assists.
The Sun Devils were paced by Ty Abbott’s 15 points.
The ‘Niners will open conference play next Tuesday against defending Big West champion UC Santa Barbara. Tipoff from the Thunderdome is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be televised on ESPNU.
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