Booker, Byers clutch as Long Beach edges Colorado St 64-61

Dec 23, 2018, 12:23 am

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Deishaun Booker scored 14 points, including four free throws in the final 20.4 seconds, KJ Byers had a key steal and blocked shot and Long Beach State edged Colorado State 64-61 on Saturday.

Kris Martin's 3-pointer pulled the Rams within 60-59 with 1:11 to play. Booker missed a shot with 46 seconds to go then Byers had a steal with 23 seconds remaining, which led to Booker's first two free throws. Byers then blocked Martin's 3-point attempt, however, JD Paige picked up the loose ball and laid it in with four seconds to play. Booker was immediately fouled and made two more free throws with 3.3 to go.

The final play was a turnover.

Long Beach (5-9) led 31-28 in the defensive struggle. A 13-2 run in the middle of the second half put the 49ers on top 51-42 but Colorado State came right back with a 12-2 run to lead 54-53 with 4:26 to play.

Temidayo Yussuf added 12 points for LBSU, which shot 36.5 percent (23 of 63) but was 13 of 21 from the line.

Nico Carvacho had 23 points and a career-high 22 rebounds for the Rams (5-7), who were 3 of 6 from the foul line. Carvacho moved into eighth on the CSU rebounding list, passing NBA veteran Jason Smith's 683.