Long Beach State secured an 81-75 victory over Cal State Bakersfield, with standout performances from Petar Majstorovic (23 points), Gavin Sykes (22 points), and Rob Diaz III (20 points and 9 assists). Despite limited bench contributions, the starters dominated, pushing Long Beach State to a 6-11 overall record and 2-3 in Big West play. Mid-game turnovers allowed Bakersfield to challenge, but a strong finish from Sykes helped the Beach regain control. The win marks Long Beach’s third consecutive home victory.

By the NumbersLong Beach State’s starters scored 77 of the team’s 81 points.Sykes recorded 17 points in the first half alone, contributing significantly to the team’s lead. State of PlayLong Beach State improved to 6-11, sitting 2-3 in the Big West conference.The Beach will host UC Riverside on January 15, extending their current homestand. What’s Next

Long Beach State is set to face UC Riverside, where they aim to continue their home winning streak and improve their conference standing.

Bottom Line

With consistent contributions from key players, Long Beach State is positioned to build momentum as they head into their next matchup, emphasizing the need for strong performances from starters to overcome challenges.