Freeman hits winner at buzzer, Long Beach State tops Iona

Nov 20, 2019, 01:27 am

LAS VEGAS -- Temidayo Yussuf scored 18 points, KJ Byers had 14 points and 10 rebounds and Ron Freeman made a game-winning layup at the buzzer, helping Long Beach State beat Iona 86-85 on Monday in the middleweight bracket of the MGM Resorts Main Event.

Asante Gist put Iona ahead with 4.7 seconds to go on a layup in traffic, but Freeman took the inbound pass and went coast-to-coast to for a layup. He fell to the ground on the shot in front of his bench and his teammates rushed the court to pile on in celebration.

Deishuan Booker added 14 points with seven assists and Freeman also scored 14 for LBSU (2-3).

Long Beach State led 41-40 at halftime and extended it to 63-53, the only double-digit lead of the game for either team, with 11 minutes to play. Neither team had a run of more than six points in the second half.

Gist led Iona (1-2) with 17 points, and Isaiah Still added 16. Rickey McGill and E.J. Crawford each scored 15 points.