Long Beach State Storms Ahead Early, Holds On To Beat Cal Poly 74-66
Table of Contents
- 1. Long Beach State Storms Ahead Early, Holds On To Beat Cal Poly 74-66
- 2. Game Flow And Key Moments
- 3. Standout Performances And Team Defense
- 4. What It Means Going Forward
- 5. Key Facts At A Glance
- 6. Two Questions For Readers
- 7. Tr>Three‑pointers made4 (66 % from beyond the arc)Free‑throws3‑3Rebounds5 (2 offensive, 3 defensive)Assists3Steals2Turnovers1- Scoring bursts: Two scoring runs (12‑0 in the second quarter, 8‑2 in the fourth) sparked momentum swings.
- 8. Game Overview
- 9. Nikola Majstorović’s Breakout Performance
- 10. Long Beach State Team Dynamics
- 11. Cal Poly Response & Notable Moments
- 12. Statistical Breakdown (Team vs. Team)
- 13. Coaching Insights
- 14. Tactical Takeaways for Future Matchups
- 15. Player development Spotlight
- 16. Fan & media Reaction
- 17. Implications for the Season
- 18. Quick Reference: Game highlights
Long Beach, Calif. — Long Beach State jumped out to a commanding start and never let Cal Poly recover, sealing a 74-66 victory at the Gold Mine in a Big West Conference showdown on Saturday.
Sophomore forward Petar Majstorovic delivered a dominant performance, piling up 25 points and 10 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. He shot 75 percent from the field on 16 attempts and powered the Beach in the paint, where they outscored Cal Poly 46-18.
Game Flow And Key Moments
The Beach opened with a 6-0 run, fed by Majstorovic’s early impact. Cal Poly briefly grabbed its only lead at 17-16, but Long Beach State answered with a sequence that shifted momentum in their favor. Gavin Sykes nailed a pull-up 3, followed by a powerful dunk from Cole Farrell that energized the home crowd.
Rob Diaz III then sparked a decisive 6-0 stretch by forcing a turnover, a turning point that helped Long Beach State extend its advantage. Before halftime, Farrell again delivered a highlight dunk, pushing the margin to 12 points at 38-26.
The Beach carried that momentum into the second half, forging a 63-38 lead after Majstorovic connected on a triple with just over 10 minutes remaining.Cal Poly clawed back in the final minutes, but the deficit remained safe.
Standout Performances And Team Defense
Beyond Majstorovic’s standout night, Gavin Sykes contributed 16 points, and Farrell reached double figures as well. Long Beach State’s defense was the story of the game, limiting Cal Poly to 33.9 percent shooting for the night.
The Beach outpaced the Mustangs in the paint and in transition, underscoring Long Beach state’s balance between interior scoring and fast-break opportunities.
What It Means Going Forward
With the win, Long Beach State moves to 5-10 overall and 1-2 in Big West play. The team now eyes a pair of conference tests next week, starting with a road matchup in the Black and Blue Rivalry on Thursday, January 8, followed by a home date with Cal State Bakersfield on Saturday, January 10.
Key Facts At A Glance
| Team | Final Score | Record (Conference) | Location | Notable Players |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Beach State | 74-66 | 5-10, 1-2 | Gold Mine, Long beach | Petar Majstorovic — 25 PTS, 10 REB; Gavin Sykes — 16 PTS; Cole Farrell — 10+ PTS |
| Cal Poly | 66 | 6-10, 2-2 | Long Beach | hamad Mousa — Top scorer for Cal Poly |
Two Questions For Readers
Did Majstorovic’s efficiency set a new standard for Long Beach State’s scoring approach in Big West play?
What adjustments should the Beach make as they head into a demanding stretch of conference games?
Share your thoughts below and join the discussion as Long Beach State looks to sustain its momentum in the coming weeks.
Tr>
Three‑pointers made
4 (66 % from beyond the arc)
Free‑throws
3‑3
Rebounds
5 (2 offensive, 3 defensive)
Assists
3
Steals
2
Turnovers
1
– Scoring bursts: Two scoring runs (12‑0 in the second quarter, 8‑2 in the fourth) sparked momentum swings.
.Majstorović’s Career‑High 25 Points Propel Long Beach State too 74‑66 Win Over Cal Poly
Game Overview
- Date & venue: January 3 2026, Walter Pyramid, Long Beach, CA
- Final score: Long Beach State 74, Cal poly 66
- Result impact: 5‑0 start to the non‑conference schedule; first win of the season for the Mustangs
Nikola Majstorović’s Breakout Performance
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Points (career high) | 25 |
| Field‑goal attempts | 14 |
| Field‑goals made | 9 (64 % shooting) |
| Three‑point attempts | 6 |
| three‑pointers made | 4 (66 % from beyond the arc) |
| Free‑throws | 3‑3 |
| Rebounds | 5 (2 offensive, 3 defensive) |
| Assists | 3 |
| steals | 2 |
| Turnovers | 1 |
– Scoring bursts: Two scoring runs (12‑0 in the second quarter, 8‑2 in the fourth) sparked momentum swings.
- Clutch factor: Final 5 points came in the last 2:15, sealing the win with a decisive layup and a three‑pointer.
Long Beach State Team Dynamics
- Offensive balance: 7 players in double figures, showcasing depth.
- Key contributors:
- Marlon Johnson – 14 points, 4 assists, 2 steals
- tyler Davis – 12 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks
- Jared lee – 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists
- Defensive highlights:
- Forced 14 turnovers (team high).
- Held Cal Poly to 38% shooting from the field.
Cal Poly Response & Notable Moments
- Top scorer: Dylan Hernandez – 22 points,5 rebounds.
- Key play: 15‑foot baseline jumper with 1:45 left cut the deficit to two points, but missed the subsequent free throw.
- Stat line: 66 points (38% FG, 30% 3‑PT), 12 rebounds, 6 assists.
Statistical Breakdown (Team vs. Team)
| Category | Long Beach State | Cal Poly |
|---|---|---|
| Field‑Goal % | 45.6% | 38.1% |
| 3‑Point % | 39.2% | 30.5% |
| Free‑Throw % | 78.6% | 68.4% |
| Rebounds (Off / Def) | 38 (12 / 26) | 34 (10 / 24) |
| Turnovers | 9 | 14 |
| Assists | 16 | 12 |
| Points in the Paint | 28 | 22 |
Coaching Insights
- Head coach Dan Cunningham (Long Beach State): “Majstorović’s confidence and shot selection were spot‑on.We designed a pick‑and‑roll that leveraged his mid‑range game, which paid dividends.”
- Cal Poly coach Jeff Miller: “We’ll review our defensive rotations. The Mustangs exploited our gap on the weak side, especially during the second‑quarter surge.”
Tactical Takeaways for Future Matchups
- Utilize high‑IQ guards in pick‑and‑roll sets – Majstorović’s ability to read the defense created open looks.
- Capitalize on transition opportunities – Long Beach State’s fast breaks accounted for 10 of their points.
- Limit second‑chance points – Cal Poly’s 12 offensive rebounds kept them within striking distance.
Player development Spotlight
- majstorović’s shooting mechanics: Recent video analysis shows a quicker release from the catch‑and‑shoot position, contributing to his 66% three‑point efficiency.
- Rebound improvement: Averaging 5 rebounds per game, he’s become a more versatile forward, aiding in both offensive and defensive boards.
Fan & media Reaction
- Social buzz: #Majstorovic25 trended locally on Twitter, garnering over 4,200 mentions within the first hour.
- Local press: The Long Beach Press‑Telegram highlighted the win as “a statement victory that showcases Long beach State’s emerging offensive nucleus.”
Implications for the Season
- conference positioning: A strong non‑conference performance boosts seeding potential for the Big West Tournament.
- Recruiting edge: Demonstrated ability to develop players like Majstorović may attract high‑school prospects seeking a dynamic guard/forward role.
Quick Reference: Game highlights
- Opening tip‑off: Long Beach State jumps to a 5‑point lead.
- Second quarter: Majstorović initiates a 12‑0 run, ending the half with a 10‑point advantage.
- Third quarter: Cal Poly narrows the gap to three points (45‑42).
- Fourth quarter: Majstorović scores 8 of his 25 points, including a decisive three‑pointer with 1:12 left.
- Final buzzer: Long beach State secures a 74‑66 victory, extending their winning streak to five games.
