Long Beach State secured an impressive 87-80 victory against CSUN, thanks to true freshman Gavin Sykes, who scored a career-high 34 points. The standout performance included a dominant second half where Sykes tallied 24 points and went 15-for-16 from the free throw line. The win marks Long Beach State’s first road win of the season and dealt CSUN their first home loss. After battling foul trouble early on, the Beach showcased resilience, overcoming a first-half deficit with a series of crucial plays in the second half. Long Beach State improved to 8-11 overall, now holding a 4-3 record in Big West play.
By the NumbersGavin Sykes scored 34 points, with 24 in the second half.Long Beach State went 15-for-16 from the free throw line.Chris Acker’s team is currently 4-3 in Big West play. State of PlayLong Beach State has now won three consecutive games.They will face Cal State Fullerton on the road Thursday night.The team will host UC Santa Barbara on Saturday in their home arena. What’s Next
Long Beach State aims to extend their winning streak against Cal State Fullerton and UC Santa Barbara in upcoming Big West matches, looking to improve their playoff positioning.
Bottom Line
With Sykes emerging as a scoring leader, Long Beach State’s recent performance shows potential for a strong finish to the season, making them a team to watch in the Big West conference.