Long Beach State Falls Short, 85-74
Damien McKnight scored 19 points to lead Florida International past Long Beach State, 85-74, in the final of the La Festival/Florida International University Holiday Classic on Sunday.
Long Beach held Florida International star Raja Bell to eight points, far below his average of 25.7 over the last three games. But five other Golden Panthers scored in double figures. Darius Cook scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for Florida International (3-1).
Long Beach (2-3) raced to a 15-4 lead. But then Florida International’s defense took over, forcing 12 turnovers, many of which the Golden Panthers converted into points.
The closest Long Beach came in the second half was within six points at 58-52.
David Egans led Long Beach with 21 points. Quincy Nuckles added 13 and Grant Stone and D’Cean Bryant each contributed 12. Bryant and Stone each had nine rebounds.
Egans and Bryant were named to the all-tournament team, as were Florida International’s Cook and McKnight.
In the third-place game, Lafayette defeated Brown, 74-57.
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