LONG BEACH STATE HAS A SHORT DANCE

Arizona blows out the Beach 85-65, ending team's stay in March Madness and coach Monson's tenure

Dan Monson's run at Long Beach State is over.

The 15th-seeded Beach lost 85-65 to Arizona in the NCAA Tournament, slamming shut Monson's 17-year tenure as coach.

Second-seeded Arizona scored 16 consecutive points over a five-minute stretch to turn a tight game into a laugher. At the end, Monson walked slowly off the court for the final time and blew three kisses to his school's small, tear-stained cheering section in the corner of the arena.

“It's a range of emotions,” said the 62-year-old coach, who learned last week that this would be his final season with the Beach.

Long Beach had a surprising run through the Big West Tournament that sent the program to March Madness for the first time since 2012.

SPORTS: Columnist Mirjam Swanson says the Beach and Monson only needed inspiration from each other.

CHRISTIAN PETERSEN — GETTY IMAGES Long Beach State's Aboubacar Traore drives to the basket against Oumar Ballo and Caleb Love of the Arizona Wildcats in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday in Salt Lake City, Utah.

CHRIS GARDNER — GETTY IMAGES Long Beach State coach Dan Monson reacts during the second half. Monson learned last week that his contract would not be renewed.