Saturday, December 6
La Jolla, Calif.
1 p.m.
Long Beach State University
at
UC San Diego
Beach Look To Build Momentum In First Big West Road Game At UCSD
12/5/2025 4:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LBSU seeks to continue its upward trajectory and capitalize on improved rhythm entering Saturday’s game.
Long Beach State heads into its first Big West road game Saturday at UC San Diego with momentum and clear signs of progress, highlighted by stronger defensive stretches and increased scoring depth. The Beach, who lead the all-time series 6 to 4, look to continue that climb with a strong showing in La Jolla.
RIGHT AWAY
• Long Beach State leads the all-time series with UC San Diego 6-4, but the Tritons have claimed the last four meetings, most recently winning an 82-51 decision on March 6, 2025. Several of those matchups were decided in the final minutes, and the Beach enter Saturday with a clear opportunity to reclaim momentum in a rivalry that has tightened considerably since UCSD joined the Big West.
• LBSU is coming off a competitive outing in its conference opener, where the Beach made multiple second-half pushes and cut a 17-point deficit to 10 before UCSB closed out a 67-52 result. The performance continued to highlight improvements in rebounding, defensive activity and shot creation, along with impactful contributions off the bench.
• The Beach have delivered several encouraging performances throughout nonconference play, including strong stretches against Oregon State, San Francisco and Sacramento State. LBSU has held opponents well below their scoring averages, won key rebounding battles and shown clearer cohesion in half-court execution as the rotation has settled.
• JaQuoia Jones-Brown continues to look like one of the most dynamic guards in the Big West, entering Saturday ranked third in the league in scoring at 17.9 points per game. She has hit double figures every game this season and brings the ability to control pace, rebound out of her position, and manufacture points late in possessions. Her leadership has set the standard for the team's competitive identity.
• Rosie Akot has quickly become one of the Beach's emotional engines, sparking runs with her activity, physicality, and rim presence. Her double-double at Oregon State did more than fill a box score, it showcased her timing on the glass, her ability to absorb contact, and the confidence she brings when the game speeds up. She followed with another energetic performance against UCSB, reinforcing her role as a difference-maker.
• Christy Reynoso has emerged as a critical shot-maker in the backcourt, delivering timely threes that have shifted momentum in multiple games. Her poise late in the shot clock and her ability to break scoring droughts have added a new layer to the Beach offense. When she finds a rhythm from deep, Long Beach State stretches the floor in a way that changes how opponents defend ball screens and spacing actions.
• Khylee Pepe continues to fill gaps all over the floor, ranking among the Big West's top rebounders at 5.7 per game. Her ability to initiate breaks, get downhill, and bring toughness into 50–50 plays has given LBSU essential edge in competitive stretches.
• Kennan Ka brings a physical interior presence that anchors the Beach frontcourt, providing hard screens, defensive communication, and second-chance pressure on the glass. She ranks among the league leaders in defensive rebounding in conference play and continues to give the Beach stability in paint battles.
• Brynna Pukis adds much-needed spacing and decisiveness, capable of scoring in bunches when she finds early touches. Her 14-point night against San Francisco hinted at her ceiling as a perimeter threat who can punish defensive rotations and elevate the entire offensive structure.
• Judit Oliva Fernandez remains a steady interior force, ranking among the conference's leaders in blocks while providing dependable scoring touch in the paint. Her defensive instincts and timing continue to shape how LBSU protects the rim.
RIGHT AWAY
• Long Beach State leads the all-time series with UC San Diego 6-4, but the Tritons have claimed the last four meetings, most recently winning an 82-51 decision on March 6, 2025. Several of those matchups were decided in the final minutes, and the Beach enter Saturday with a clear opportunity to reclaim momentum in a rivalry that has tightened considerably since UCSD joined the Big West.
• LBSU is coming off a competitive outing in its conference opener, where the Beach made multiple second-half pushes and cut a 17-point deficit to 10 before UCSB closed out a 67-52 result. The performance continued to highlight improvements in rebounding, defensive activity and shot creation, along with impactful contributions off the bench.
• The Beach have delivered several encouraging performances throughout nonconference play, including strong stretches against Oregon State, San Francisco and Sacramento State. LBSU has held opponents well below their scoring averages, won key rebounding battles and shown clearer cohesion in half-court execution as the rotation has settled.
• JaQuoia Jones-Brown continues to look like one of the most dynamic guards in the Big West, entering Saturday ranked third in the league in scoring at 17.9 points per game. She has hit double figures every game this season and brings the ability to control pace, rebound out of her position, and manufacture points late in possessions. Her leadership has set the standard for the team's competitive identity.
• Rosie Akot has quickly become one of the Beach's emotional engines, sparking runs with her activity, physicality, and rim presence. Her double-double at Oregon State did more than fill a box score, it showcased her timing on the glass, her ability to absorb contact, and the confidence she brings when the game speeds up. She followed with another energetic performance against UCSB, reinforcing her role as a difference-maker.
• Christy Reynoso has emerged as a critical shot-maker in the backcourt, delivering timely threes that have shifted momentum in multiple games. Her poise late in the shot clock and her ability to break scoring droughts have added a new layer to the Beach offense. When she finds a rhythm from deep, Long Beach State stretches the floor in a way that changes how opponents defend ball screens and spacing actions.
• Khylee Pepe continues to fill gaps all over the floor, ranking among the Big West's top rebounders at 5.7 per game. Her ability to initiate breaks, get downhill, and bring toughness into 50–50 plays has given LBSU essential edge in competitive stretches.
• Kennan Ka brings a physical interior presence that anchors the Beach frontcourt, providing hard screens, defensive communication, and second-chance pressure on the glass. She ranks among the league leaders in defensive rebounding in conference play and continues to give the Beach stability in paint battles.
• Brynna Pukis adds much-needed spacing and decisiveness, capable of scoring in bunches when she finds early touches. Her 14-point night against San Francisco hinted at her ceiling as a perimeter threat who can punish defensive rotations and elevate the entire offensive structure.
• Judit Oliva Fernandez remains a steady interior force, ranking among the conference's leaders in blocks while providing dependable scoring touch in the paint. Her defensive instincts and timing continue to shape how LBSU protects the rim.
Players Mentioned
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