Long Beach State upsets UC Irvine in Big West semifinals

Published Mar. 12, 2016 3:10 a.m. ET

foxsports

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Justin Bibbins scored 17 points, Nick Faust added 15, and third-seeded Long Beach State upset No. 2-seed UC Irvine 77-72 in the Big West Conference Tournament semifinals Friday night.

The 49ers (20-13) will face top-seeded Hawaii (26-5) in the championship game Saturday.

A.J. Spencer scored 13 points and Travis Hammonds had 11 to help Long Beach State hold off a late charge from the defending conference tournament champion Anteaters (25-9).

The 49ers surrendered a 13-point second half lead, but went back on top when Spencer hit a 3 with 6:07 left and led rest of the way.

UC Irvine beat Long Beach State in both of the regular-season meetings, including a 90-67 victory when the teams last met Feb. 24.

Jaron Martin scored 21 points and 7-foot-6 center Mamadou Ndiaye had 16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots to lead the Anteaters.