Beach Back On The Road To Face UC Riverside

Thursday, January 15

Riverside, Calif.

6 p.m.

Long Beach State University

UC Riverside

1/14/2026 2:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Game Notes -- UC Riverside

Long Beach State leans on defensive pressure and the all-around brilliance of JaQuoia Jones-Brown against a fast-paced UC Riverside squad in Big West action

By: Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. -- Long Beach State returns to the road Thursday night for a key Big West matchup at UC Riverside, where contrasting identities will take center stage at 6 p.m. The Beach aim to impose their trademark physicality and defensive pressure against a Highlanders team built on tempo and shot volume, with JaQuoia Jones-Brown anchoring the effort as one of the most heavily relied-upon players in the conference and the nation.

RIGHT AWAY

• Long Beach State is back on the road Thursday night, heading to UC Riverside as Big West play continues, with the Beach looking to impose their defensive pressure and physicality against a Highlanders squad that thrives on tempo and shot volume.

• At the center of everything is JaQuoia Jones-Brown, one of the most relied-upon players in the Big West and nationally.
- 36.5 minutes per game (No. 1 in the Big West, top-5 national leader)
- 17.0 points per game (Top-5 in the conference, Top-100 national leader)
- 7.2 rebounds per game, ranking seventh in the league overall and first among guards

• Jones-Brown's versatility separates her, as she ranks top-15 in the conference in scoring, rebounding, steals, and minutes, while carrying the offensive load possession after possession.

• Judit Oliva Fernandez continues to be the Beach's defensive backbone inside, averaging 1.67 blocks per game, third in the Big West, and ranking among the league leaders in defensive rebounds while anchoring matchups against elite frontcourts.

• Kennan Ka provides veteran stability and matchup flexibility, logging 31.4 minutes per game (top-15 in the conference) while contributing as a secondary facilitator, rebounder, and primary defensive assignment against opposing scorers.

• Khylee Pepe remains Long Beach State's defensive tone-setter on the perimeter, leading the team with 26 steals, ranking 14th in the Big West in steals per game, and consistently rebounding above her position from the guard spot.

• One emerging storyline: Brynna Pukis has quietly become the Beach's most efficient perimeter threat, shooting .328 from three and posting multiple perfect shooting performances in conference play, adding spacing that changes defensive coverages.