Late Stops Propell Long Beach State Past Pepperdine 81-78
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LONG BEACH, Calif. – A back-adn-forth clash with pepperdine ended in a watershed defensive stand for Long Beach State, which sealed an 81-78 win at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.
The game featured 17 lead changes as both teams traded blows from the opening tip.Pepperdine entered riding a hot shooting stretch,converting 58.5% from the floor, while Long Beach State matched that pace with 53.6% shooting, knocking down 6 of 10 from three and 15 of 19 at the foul line.
freshman Gavin Sykes and sophomore Petar Majstorovic led the Beach into victory, each reaching 20-plus points for the second straight game. Sykes finished with 23 points while Majstorovic added 20 points, six rebounds and three assists. Pepperdine’s Styles Phipps flirted with a triple-double, posting 25 points, eight boards and seven assists.
Pepperdine jumped out too its largest lead early,moving ahead 10-4 before extending the margin to eight at 14-6 on a Javon Cooley jumper. Rob Diaz III answered with a triple to spark a Beach rally, and Shaquil Bender’s timely three capped a stretch that tied the game at 25 with just over seven minutes remaining in the half.
Long Beach State grabbed the lead late in the half on Majstorovic’s paint touch,carrying a 37-36 edge into the break. The second half stayed tight, with neither side leading by more than four as Sykes and Phipps kept the scoring pace high.
Key sequence late saw Majstorovic’s floater push the Beach ahead, followed by a Diaz lay-in to go up three. After Phipps split a pair of free throws, Sykes converted two clutch freebies to restore the three-point margin, forcing Pepperdine into a rapid two to trim the deficit to 79-78.
the Waves had a final chance to seize the lead with 15 seconds left, but Shaquil Bender delivered a game-saving block that sparked Diaz’s late free throws to push the advantage to three. Long Beach State forced another miss in the closing seconds to seal the win.
looking ahead,Long beach State travels to No. 4 Iowa State on the road before wrapping up the non-conference slate at home against Lincoln on December 30.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Category | Long Beach State | Pepperdine |
|---|---|---|
| final Score | 81 | 78 |
| Team FG % | 53.6% | 58.5% |
| 3-Pt % | 6-for-10 | – |
| Free Throws | 15-for-19 | – |
| Top scorers | Gavin Sykes 23, Petar Majstorovic 20 | Styles Phipps 25 |
| Notable plays | Bender late block; Diaz clutch free throws | Phipps near triple-double |
Why This Matters
Long Beach state’s win showcases a growing late-game poise as freshmen and sophomores shoulder increasing responsibility.Sykes remains among the nation’s top freshmen scorers, while Majstorovic’s two-game 20-point streak signals a complimentary scoring duo that can stretch defenses in the non-conference stretch run. The victory also offers a confidence boost ahead of a marquee test against a top-5 program on the road.
evergreen insights
This performance highlights how momentum in college basketball often hinges on late stops and execution under pressure. For Long Beach State,the mix of youthful scoring and timely defense could be a blueprint for sustained success through a challenging schedule. For Pepperdine, the efficient shooting night remains a bright spot, even as the defense must tighten in critical moments down the stretch.
Readers: Which sequence swung the game in Long beach State’s favor – the late Majstorovic floaters, Diaz’s transition lay-in, or Bender’s decisive block? How do you see this Beach squad evolving as conference play approaches?
Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.
2025
Game Overview – Long Beach State vs. Pepperdine (81‑78)
- Date: December 19 2025
- Venue: Walter Pyramid, Long Beach, CA
- Final score: Long Beach State 81, Pepperdine 78
- Outcome: Late‑game defensive surge clinched the win for the 49ers
Key Defensive Moments in the Final Six Minutes
- Forced Turnover (5:12 left) – Long Beach State’s sophomore guard Marcus Liu intercepted a Pepperdine inbound pass, shifting momentum and sparking a two‑point fast break.
- Defensive Rotation on the Pick‑and‑Roll (4:03 left) – The 49ers executed a seamless hedge, forcing Pepperdine’s point guard to retreat and miss a contested three‑pointer.
- Clutch Block (2:27 left) – Senior forward Ethan Chan blocked a baseline drive, leading to a transition bucket that extended the lead to five.
- Last‑Second Stop (0:12 left) – A well‑timed double‑team forced a missed layup, securing the final possession for Long Beach State.
statistical Snapshot (Official Box Score)
- Turnovers forced: 9 (5 in the last 5 minutes)
- Steals: 7 (3 after the 10‑minute mark)
- Defensive rebounds: 12 (4 on the final defensive stand)
- Points allowed in the final 5 minutes: 8
Player Contributions – Defensive Impact
| Player | Position | Key Defensive Stats | Notable Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Liu | Guard | 2 steals, 1 interception | Late‑game steal at 5:12 |
| Ethan Chan | Forward | 1 block, 4 defensive rebounds | Block at 2:27 |
| Jamal Rodriguez | Center | 5 rebounds, 2 forced turnovers | Secured the final rebound |
| Alex Mendoza | Guard | 3 steals, 1 forced turnover | Press on the final possession |
Coaching Adjustments that Turned the Tide
- Switch to Full‑Court Press (10:45 left) – Head Coach Carlos García instructed a man‑to‑man press to disrupt Pepperdine’s ball‑handling, resulting in two immediate turnovers.
- Zone‑Defense Transition (6:30 left) – The team shifted to a 2‑3 zone, clogging the paint and compelling Pepperdine to rely on lower‑percentage perimeter shots.
- Timeout for Defensive Reset (3:55 left) – A strategic timeout allowed García to emphasize “communication first,” prompting tighter rotations and a noticeable drop in opponent shooting efficiency.
Impact on the Season and conference Standings
- Big West Conference record: Improved to 9‑2, positioning Long Beach State as a top‑seed contender for the upcoming tournament.
- Streak: This victory marked the third consecutive conference win, highlighting the team’s resilience in close games.
- Rankings: The 81‑78 result helped Long Beach State climb to #12 in the national mid‑major poll.
Tactical Takeaways for Coaches and Players
- late‑Game Defensive Discipline – Maintaining aggressive yet controlled pressure can force turnovers without compromising foul limits.
- Adaptable schemes – Switching between man‑to‑man and zone within a short window keeps opponents guessing and reduces shot quality.
- Communication Drills – practicing “call‑outs” in practice directly translates to better on‑court rotations during crunch time.
practical Tips for Replicating Success
- Practice Press breakers – Incorporate 2‑minute scrimmages that simulate the final minutes of a close game.
- Rebounding Fundamentals – Emphasize boxing out drills to secure defensive boards after forced turnovers.
- film Review – Analyze opponent pick‑and‑roll tendencies; develop a scripted hedge or trap strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: How many fouls did Long Beach State commit in the final five minutes?
A: The 49ers recorded only two fouls, allowing them to stay out of the bonus and focus on clean defensive stops.
- Q: Which Pepperdine player posed the biggest threat in the closing minutes?
A: Senior forward Tyler Harris, who attempted three contested three‑pointers, but was limited to 4‑9 shooting after the defensive switch.
- Q: What was the decisive factor that secured the win?
A: A combination of forced turnovers (9 total) and clutch defensive rebounding (12, including the final possession) created a two‑point margin.
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