{"id":124604,"date":"2026-01-08T03:03:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T03:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/124604\/"},"modified":"2026-01-08T03:03:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T03:03:08","slug":"beach-aim-to-build-big-west-momentum-in-clash-with-uc-irvine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/124604\/","title":{"rendered":"Beach Aim To Build Big West Momentum In Clash With UC Irvine"},"content":{"rendered":"

LONG BEACH, Calif. —\u00a0Long Beach State continues Big West action against UC Irvine carrying the experience of a demanding non-conference slate, leaning on the all-around impact of JaQuoia Jones-Brown<\/a> and an aggressive defensive identity as the Beach look to gain traction in conference play.<\/p>\n

RIGHT AWAY<\/p>\n

\u2022 Long Beach State returns to Big West action against UC Irvine after battling through one of the conference’s toughest non-conference slates, gaining valuable experience against high-level competition. In the all-time series dating back to 2008, Long Beach State holds a 19\u201318 advantage against UC Irvine.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The Beach average 50.5 points per game through 13 contests, shooting .329 from the floor and .261 from beyond the arc. On the defensive end, Long Beach State plays with pace and physicality, forcing 6.3 steals per game and protecting the rim with 2.5 blocks per contest.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The engine that drives it all is JaQuoia Jones-Brown<\/a>, one of the most heavily relied-upon players in the country. The sophomore logs 36.5 minutes per game, ranking top ten among the national leaders in minutes, while leading the Beach in scoring (17.1 ppg), rebounding (7.2 rpg), and assists (2.2 apg). She has scored in double figures in every game but one this season, highlighted by a 29-point performance against Sacramento State and a dominant 23-point, 17-rebound effort in the win over Hope International. Jones-Brown also leads the team in free throws made (54) and ranks first in both offensive and defensive rebounds.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Judit Oliva Fernandez<\/a> anchors the interior, supplying physical play and rim protection. She averages 6.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and has swatted 20 shots this season, averaging 1.5 blocks per game, among the best marks in the Big West.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kennan Ka<\/a> adds versatility and composure up front, contributing 5.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Her ability to facilitate offense, guard multiple positions, and space the floor makes her a key secondary option on both ends.<\/p>\n

\u2022 On the perimeter, Khylee Pepe<\/a> sets the tone with effort and defensive toughness. The senior averages 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds, leads the team with 1.6 steals per game, and ranks second on the roster with 20 offensive rebounds, consistently creating extra possessions through hustle and anticipation.<\/p>\n

ABOUT THE BEACH<\/p>\n

\u2022 Judit Oliva Fernandez<\/a> has had extensive experience playing Internationally for Spain in 3×3 tournaments, an experience that she detailed for the Long Beach State Beach Reads series found at www.longbeachstate.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Other returning players for Long Beach State in addition to Jones-Brown, Richards, Oliva Fernandez and Ka include sophomore guard Christy Reynoso<\/a>, forward Brelynn Brice<\/a> and center Haley Wright<\/a>. The trio combined for 32 games played during the 2024-25 campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 Two redshirts also return for Long Beach State. Tairat Samuel-Afolabi<\/a> is a redshirt freshman from Sweden, while Lauren Cummings<\/a> returns after playing 26 games in 2023-24 before redshirting last season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 Khylee Pepe<\/a> gives Long Beach State some veteran experience, joining the program as a senior after spending four years at San Diego State, including one as a medical redshirt in 2024-25. Pepe played in all 35 games for the Aztecs in 2023-24 as a junior, averaging 4.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. In total, Pepe played in 95 games with San Diego State after entering the program as a high school recruit from Bishop Montgomery High School.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Long Beach State brought in three high school recruits to join the team this season. Rosie Akot<\/a> is a 6-2 forward whose intensity was noted by Wright, coming from Adelaide in Australia. Morgan Mack<\/a> is a 5-10 guard from Lancaster, who finished her career as the top scorer in Hart HS history, while Brynna Pukis<\/a>\u00a0 was a four-time first-team all-league selection at Glacier Peak High School in Washington.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 Long Beach State made two changes to the staff in the offseason. Jesse Clark<\/a> joined the program as an assistant coach, coming to the Beach from the Academy of Art in San Francisco where he was the head coach for the last two seasons, capping over 25 years in coaching across multiple levels. The Beach added Ashley Arroyo<\/a> as the team’s Director of Basketball Operations, while Jashae Lee<\/a> and Raru Archer<\/a> return for their third seasons on staff with Amy Wright<\/a> and Long Beach State.\u00a0
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