Faust's 21 helps Long Beach State hold off Cal Poly, 73-70

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) Nick Faust scored 21 points and Long Beach State held off Cal Poly down the stretch to score a 73-70 Big West Conference battle Thursday night and avenge a double-overtime loss to the Mustangs in mid-January.

Faust, a senior transfer from Maryland, continued his stellar offensive output and improving on his 17.3 points-per-game average. During the 49ers four-game win streak Faust has averaged 27.5 points per game.

Long Beach State built an 11-point lead in the first half and pushed it to as many as 17 in the second half.

Cal Poly battled back, cutting the lead to four, 67-63 with 1:27 left on a 3-pointer by Trevor John.

Faust was 7 of 15 from the field, including 2 of 6 from long range, to pace Long Beach State (13-12, 7-3). Travis Hammonds added 15 points.

David Nwaba scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Cal Poly (8-15, 2-8).