Dan Monson coaches Long Beach State into NCAA tournament five days after being fired | College basketball

Lassina Traore had a career-high 25 points, Marcus Tsohonis scored 25 and hit two clutch free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining to help No 4 seed Long Beach State beat second-seeded UC Davis 74-70 on Saturday night in the championship game of the Big West conference tournament, sending coach Dan Monson to the NCAA tournament in his final season with the Beach.It was an improbable run for the Beach after the school announced on Monday it would part ways with Monson after 17 seasons.Lassina Traore sank 12 of 17 shots and his only free throw for Long Beach State (21-14), which entered the…