ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Mitchell Young scored a career-high 28 points and Saint Mary’s pulled away in the final 2:46 to beat Long Beach State 82-74 in the John R. Wooden Classic doubleheader on Saturday.
Leading 70-68, Mickey McConnell scored eight of Saint Mary’s final 12 points to close out an up-and-down game for the Gaels (9-2), who have won three in a row. He finished with 18 points.
T.J. Robinson scored 19 points to lead five players in double figures for Long Beach State (5-7), which lost its third straight and for the fifth time in seven games.
It was the first Wooden Classic to be played since its namesake died in June at 99.
Eugene Phelps added 17 points and Tristan Wilson 14 for the 49ers, whose last lead of 66-65 came on two free throws by Casper Ware with 5:04 to play.
