T.J. Robinson continues to come up huge for Long Beach State, but it usually isn’t at the free throw line. The sophomore forward had a career-high 25 points and 12 rebounds, but it was two at the line and a rebound put-back that lifted the 49ers to a 68-65 Big West Conference win over UC Davis on Thursday night.  The victory puts LBSU in fourth place in the Big West and evens all records at 14-14 overall and 7-7 in the conference.

Robinson was a force all night making 8-of-15 shots while putting up his 17th double-double of the season and the 22nd of his career. More importantly, Robinson made 9-of-10 free throws on the night despite heading into the game as a 55.4 percent free throw shooter.

“T.J. has been so consistent,” head coach Dan Monson said. “They had to double-team him and he was able to really open things up for us by both scoring and by drawing so much attention.”

Robinson spearheaded a strong effort by Long Beach State in the second half. Despite falling behind by nine four minutes into the second half, the 49ers stormed back to tie the game with 6:24 to play.

Robinson had 11 points after the break and eight of his rebounds. His two free throws with 1:30 remaining tied the game at 63-63, and his rebound and put-back gave the 49ers a 65-63 lead– a lead they would not relinquish. Meanwhile, fellow sophomores Casper Ware and Larry Anderson both had big second halves. Ware scored 13 of his 14 points after the intermission, including two free throws with 23 seconds to play to put The Beach up by three.

Anderson added nine of his 14 points in the second half to help Long Beach outscore the Aggies (11-16, 6-7 Big West) by two after the break.

LBSU overcame a cold shooting night though it all as they made just 18-of-55 (32.7 percent) shots and connected on just 4-of-21 (19 percent) 3-pointers. The key was a clutch performance at the free throw line where the 49ers have lost more than one game this season. Long Beach State shot an impressive 80 percent (28-of-35) from the line to secure the win. 

The Aggies were even better from the line making 23-of-27 (85.2 percent), thanks mostly to Joe Harden and Mark Payne. Harden made 12-of-14 free throws and finished with a game-high 26 points and 11 rebounds. Payne knocked down 7-of-8 from the line and had 12 points, but didn’t score after the half because that Long beach defense stepped it up in the second half once again.

UC Davis made just 19-of-47 (40.4) percent themselves, and were 4-of-16 (25 percent) from three. The Aggies committed five more turnovers than LBSU, 16 to 11, and allowed The Beach to grab 10 offensive boards that led to eight more shots for the visitors.

The first half was no different than the second half. Long Beach State battled to a 32-31 halftime lead despite shooting just 34.5 percent from the floor before the break. The Beach managed to convert on just 2-of-13 3-pointers but was solid from the line making 10-of-12 (83.3 percent) from the stripe.

UC Davis wasn’t much better from the floor making just 11-of-25 (44 percent) shots, while knocking down just 1-of-8 (12.5 percent) threes. The Aggies were also good at the line making 8-of-10.

Robinson and Greg Plater paced the 49ers in combining for 24 first-half points. Robinson led the way with 14 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor, while making all four of his free throws. Plater added all 10 of his points, making both of the 49ers’ threes.

Harden got off to a quick start scoring six points in the first 3:18 of the game. He finished the half with 11 points, while Dominic Calegari added eight and Adam Malik had seven.

With Reports From LBSU