US EditionLong Beach State Men Hold Off Pepperdine with Crucial Defensive Play
Long Beach State secured the win with a crucial block and free throws in the final seconds after Pepperdine missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer.
- On Thursday night, Long Beach State Beach defeated visiting Pepperdine Waves 81-78 at the Pyramid in Long Beach, California.
- Shaquil Bender's late block shifted the finish when he blocked Javon Cooley's layup and Rob Diaz III swished both free throws with 10 seconds left, as Aaron Clark missed a 26-foot buzzer 3.
- Despite shooting 64% early, Pepperdine led 37-36 at halftime, with Styles Phipps scoring 25 points, Javon Cooley adding 17 off the bench, and Danilo Dozic finishing with 15.
- Long Beach State Beach has a 2-3 home court record, while Pepperdine Waves are 1-2 in road games, affecting Big West standings.
- Beyond the final score, Gavin Sykes, Long Beach freshman, scored 23 points after becoming the first LBSU freshman since Lucious Harris in 1990 to reach at least 30 on Nov. 30, while Shaquil Bender, LBSU reserve, added 12 points off the bench after transferring from Mt. San Antonio College and Fullerton College.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Long Beach State men hold off Pepperdine with crucial defensive play
LONG BEACH — The Long Beach State men’s basketball team came out on the right side of a close game on Thursday night, holding on to defeat visiting Pepperdine, 81-78, at the Pyramid. LBSU led by one point when a pull-up jumper by Long Beach freshman Gavin Sykes rolled off the rim with 15 seconds left. Javon Cooley grabbed the rebound for Pepperdine and tried to go end-to-end, but Shaquil Bender elevated and blocked his layup attempt. Rob Diaz II…
Sykes, Majstorovic Propel Long Beach State to Thrilling 81-78 Win Over Pepperdine
Long Beach State triumphed over Pepperdine with an 81-78 victory in a tightly contested game that featured 17 lead changes. The Beach executed critical defensive plays in the final minute, ensuring their win despite facing a strong offensive challenge, as Pepperdine shot 58.5%. Freshman Gavin Sykes led Long Beach with 23 points, while sophomore Petar Majstorovic contributed 20 points and 6 rebounds, marking their second consecutive game scoring …
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