Long Beach State University
Pepperdine
Long Beach State Runs Past Pepperdine On The Road
12/9/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Malibu, Calif. - Bryan Alberts hit a career-high six three-pointers on the way to a 20-point night, as Long Beach State's pace helped the Beach top Pepperdine on the road 78-71.
Long Beach State (5-7) scored 16 points on the fast break and forced Pepperdine (3-7) into 16 turnovers, scoring 23 points off of them to hold the lead for the majority of the game. The Beach also did an excellent job sharing the ball, making 21 assists with just 12 turnovers.
The two teams went back-and-forth through the first ten minutes, with neither team holding more than a 10-point lead. A Deishuan Booker three put the Beach up three, and a 10-3 run would extend Long Beach State's lead up to nine points at 35-26 with 2:41 left in the half.
Pepperdine responded by taking advantage of a sequence of LBSU turnovers at the end of the half to pull even with nine straight points at 35-35.
Out of the locker room, the defensive pressure that helped Long Beach State open that lead would work once again, and it was matched by a hot streak from Bryan Alberts to help the 49ers open a lead once more. Alberts would make four straight threes to help the Beach grab a nine-point lead.
Pepperdine made one additional push, tying the game at 51 on a three-pointer from Eric Cooper Jr., but a layup on the other end by Booker put the Beach out in front again. That basket started a 13-2 run for the Beach which would serve as the final push needed to hold of the Waves, who never got closer than six points the rest of the way.
Alberts scored 20 points or more for the third time this season, adding four assists and two steals, while Booker had 12 points with six assists and rebounds. Gabe Levin also had a solid night, scoring 16 points with six rebounds and a pair of blocks.
Long Beach State will have a week to prepare for their next game, as the team returns to the Walter Pyramid to host Eastern Michigan on Saturday, December 16 at 4 p.m.
