Long Beach State fought hard against UC San Diego but ultimately suffered a 64-53 loss at home. The Beach started strong, leading 16-12 after the first quarter, highlighted by Brynna Pukis’ two three-pointers. UCSD rallied in the second half, leveraging foul shots and offensive rebounds to gain momentum. Late in the game, after momentarily taking a lead, Long Beach couldn’t sustain their performance, allowing the Tritons to close the match with a decisive scoring run.
By the NumbersLong Beach State shot 57.1% in the fourth quarter.UC San Diego went 29-for-34 from the free throw line compared to Long Beach’s 4-for-10. State of PlayLong Beach held a narrow lead at halftime, 26-24.UC San Diego dominated the third quarter, outscoring Long Beach 18-10. What’s Next
The loss may prompt Long Beach State to reassess defensive strategies and manage rotations better to avoid fatigue in future games. Improved free-throw efficiency will also be a focus moving forward.
Bottom Line
Long Beach State’s performance highlights the importance of depth and late-game execution, as their reliance on a few starters ultimately led to their defeat against UC San Diego.