LBSU freshman guard Gavin Sykes steps back on a drive to the paint during his career night on Sunday, Nov. 30 at the Pyramid. Sykes recorded 30 points in The Beach’s win over the University of San Diego Toreros. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current

Long Beach State men’s basketball ended its 21-game losing streak against NCAA Division I opponents on Sunday, Nov. 30, defeating University of San Diego 76-72 after a 30 point career-high night from LBSU freshman guard Gavin Sykes at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.

LBSU (2-6) trailed USD (3-4) 72-71 with 26 seconds left in the game when LBSU sophomore forward Petar Majstorovic inbounded the ball just in front of half-court with a deep floating lob to Shay Johnson Jr. 

LBSU sophomore forward Petar Majstorovic recorded 14 points and six assists in the victory over the University of San Diego at the Pyramid on Sunday, Nov. 30. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current

The senior forward was unable to finish off the dunk, but Sykes, who was rushing the paint, grabbed the rebound and finished a layup while getting fouled to put The Beach up 74-72 after completing the and-one play. 

“Well I’m actually taught to get back on a shot and it just kind of made sense for me to run in,” Sykes said. “It got tipped and then my guy wasn’t in front of me, I just seen the ball right in front of me…and then they fouled me and that’s a routine layup that I practice.”

Down one with a chance for the Toreros to walk off The Beach, USD graduate guard Adrian Mclntyre drove into the paint as LBSU junior guard Isaiah Lewis sidestepped off his man and reached in for a steal, forcing an intentional USD foul before Lewis iced the game with two free throws. 

LBSU junior guard Isaiah Lewis rips the ball from the University of San Diego to seal the victory on Sunday, Nov. 30 at the Pyramid. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current

LBSU head coach Chris Acker reflected on the deep lob attempt from Majstorovic. 

“It was a design play call, we ran it in a scrimmage versus [Loyola Marymount University] earlier this year and it converted, and we almost converted it again, but [Sykes] was heady and came in, and we had a big time rebound and put back and won,” Acker said.

The Beach came out strong off the glass to begin the game, as four early offensive rebounds led to seven second chance points. 

LBSU led 16-8 after back-to-back threes from Sykes, which was just a preview of what was yet to come from the freshman guard on Sunday.

“Once I start hitting a few shots, it really just gets me going, I get into a mode where I really just want to kill and just really want to win,” Sykes said.

The freshmen Toreros pair of guard Brandon Benjamin and forward D’Arrae Goodwin flashed for 22 points combined in the first half on an efficient 90%, as they pulled their team ahead of The Beach after a 15-2 run to lead 34-27.

Majstorovic and Sykes scored the last nine first half points for The Beach as they combined for 19 points on 50% as they went into the half trailing 38-34.

The Toreros bench was a problem The Beach could not solve, as they were outscored 27-9 in the half. 

USD graduate forward Tim Moore Jr.’s physicality was on full display with nine straight points off three consecutive and-one plays to open the second half, putting the Toreros up 60-54.

Sykes took over for The Beach offensively, scoring 11 straight for LBSU as The Beach trailed 66-62.

Both offenses went cold, going scoreless for five minutes, but with just 1:30 left to play, Sykes went on a 7-2 run all by himself, scoring his 30th point with the and-one converting free throw, before Lewis put USD away with free throws of his own.

“It definitely was great knowing that I can get up to the line and knock them down, because it’s something we work on everyday, so it’s just repetition and just my mental just being strong, just knowing I can go up there and knock it down,” Lewis said.

Beating an NCAA Division I opponent for the first time in 323 days, ending a drought that featured many games decided in the closing moments, Acker reflected on being on the opposite end of the stick on Sunday. 

LBSU celebrates as a team after snapping its 21-game losing streak against NCAA Division I opponents. Diego Perez | Long Beach Current

“It’s amazing, it’s amazing,” Acker said. “It’s the teams that are willing to sacrifice, be scrappy and trust that at the end of the day, doing that over and over again is going to help you win games. The fact that they believe that after halftime and they went out there and did it, was the most exhilarating feeling as a coach, because now I know that they know what it feels like when you actually get it done.”

Next for LBSU is the beginning of Big West conference play on the road against UC Santa Barbara on Thursday, Dec. 4.