Long Beach State plays UC Irvine following Murray's 27-point game

Published Feb. 25, 2022 4:02 a.m. ET

Associated Press

Long Beach State Beach (16-10, 10-2 Big West) at UC Irvine Anteaters (13-8, 7-4 Big West)

Irvine, California; Sunday, 12 a.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: Long Beach State faces the UC Irvine Anteaters after Joel Murray scored 27 points in Long Beach State's 103-87 win over the UCSD Tritons.

The Anteaters are 8-1 on their home court. UC Irvine is 1-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.

The Beach are 10-2 in conference matchups. Long Beach State ranks fifth in the Big West scoring 30.1 points per game in the paint led by Murray averaging 1.5.

The teams meet for the second time in conference play this season. The Beach won 73-67 in the last matchup on Jan. 22. Murray led the Beach with 24 points, and Collin Welp led the Anteaters with 20 points.

TOP PERFORMERS: Welp is shooting 43.3% and averaging 14.3 points for the Anteaters. Dawson Baker is averaging 9.7 points over the last 10 games for UC Irvine.

Murray is averaging 16 points and 1.5 steals for the Beach. Colin Slater is averaging 16.7 points and 4.1 rebounds while shooting 40.8% over the last 10 games for Long Beach State.

LAST 10 GAMES: Anteaters: 7-3, averaging 65.0 points, 33.2 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 4.4 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 45.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 58.4 points per game.

Beach: 9-1, averaging 75.3 points, 32.0 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 7.3 steals and 3.4 blocks per game while shooting 42.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 67.9 points.

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