Beach Breaks Through With 62-61 Win Over CSUN

Saturday, January 17

Long Beach, Calif.

2 p.m.

Long Beach State University

2-15,1-6Big West

CSUN

6-11,2-6Big West

CSUN

Long Beach St.

1/17/2026 4:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Long Beach State earns first Big West victory of the season with a dramatic decision over the Matadors at the Pyramid

By: Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Long Beach State women's basketball put together its most complete 40 minutes of conference play Saturday afternoon, leading wire to wire and holding off a late CSUN rally for a 62-61 victory at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid to secure its first Big West win of the season. The Beach set the tone from the opening tip, playing with pace and purpose to seize early momentum and never fully surrender control.

LBSU opened the game on the front foot, scoring 23 points in the first quarter while forcing CSUN into tough shots and early turnovers. A pair of transition buckets from Kennan Ka and JaQuoia Jones-Brown along with strong interior play helped the Beach build an early cushion, and that momentum carried into the second quarter. Ka finished a fast-break layup at the 5:50 mark of the first quarter to give Long Beach State its first lead of the game, and moments later Jones-Brown knocked down a fast-break three-pointer to cap a 10-0 run that helped the Beach seize early control. Long Beach State pushed the lead to double digits midway through the period and extended it to as many as 14 points, using ball movement and second-chance opportunities to keep the Matadors on their heels. By halftime, the Beach held a 37-26 advantage and had led for nearly the entire opening half.

CSUN responded coming out of the locker room, trimming the margin in the third quarter, but Long Beach State answered each run to maintain breathing room. The Beach entered the fourth quarter still in front, 50-43, before the final period turned into a grind. CSUN continued to close the gap behind perimeter shooting and offensive rebounds, eventually pulling within one possession in the final minute. Long Beach State stayed composed in the closing moments, converting free throws and forcing contested looks defensively, with the Matadors' final attempt coming up short as time expired.

After guiding the game from start to finish, Long Beach State was powered offensively by Khylee Pepe, who scored a game-high 16 points and came up big late at the free-throw line, finishing 7-for-10 from the stripe. The outing matched her career high and marked her most productive scoring performance in a Beach uniform, arriving at a pivotal moment in conference play.
JaQuoia Jones-Brown continued her standout season with ten points and eight rebounds while logging nearly 37 minutes. Jones-Brown once again provided stability on both ends, helping control tempo during CSUN's late push. Rosie Akot delivered a strong presence inside, pulling down a game-high eleven rebounds to go along with nine points, including several key defensive boards in the fourth quarter.

Morgan Mack reached double figures with ten points, knocking down two three-pointers, while Kennan Ka added nine points and six rebounds as Long Beach State relied on contributions throughout the lineup. The Beach finished the game shooting 38.9 percent from the field and 34.8 percent from three-point range, while forcing nine Matador turnovers and leading for more than 35 minutes of game time.

Long Beach State hopes to carry this momentum into next week as they continue their homestand on Thursday, January 22, hosting Cal State Fullerton. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.