Beach Battle Past UC Riverside in Big West Thriller

Thursday, January 29

Long Beach, Calif.

6 p.m.

Long Beach State University

3-17,2-8Big West

UC Riverside

6-14,4-6Big West

UC Riverside

Long Beach St.

1/29/2026 9:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Long Beach State delivers down the stretch to defeat UC Riverside, 75–72, at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid

By: Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Long Beach State earned a gritty 75–72 Big West victory over UC Riverside on Thursday night at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid, using a balanced offensive effort and a strong closing stretch to hold off the Highlanders.

JaQuoia Jones-Brown once again delivered a standout performance, tying her career high with 29 points while playing all 40 minutes. She finished 10-of-19 from the floor, knocked down all three of her three-point attempts, and was a perfect 6-of-6 at the free throw line. Jones-Brown also added six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, consistently creating offense when the Beach needed it most.

The Beach weathered a difficult opening quarter in which UC Riverside shot efficiently and built a 25–17 lead. Long Beach State responded with its best stretch of the game in the second quarter, outscoring the Highlanders 23–11. Defensive pressure led to transition opportunities, and timely three-point shooting helped LBSU take a 40–36 advantage into halftime.

UC Riverside answered coming out of the break, reclaiming momentum in the third quarter behind a physical interior attack. The Highlanders fought to extend their lead, but Jones-Brown scored or assisted on multiple baskets late in the period to keep the Beach within striking distance, trailing 59–55 heading into the fourth.

Long Beach State delivered its strongest finish in the final ten minutes, shooting over 60 percent in the quarter and outscoring UC Riverside 20–13. Rosie Akot provided a spark with 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including two three-pointers, while Brynna Pukis added 11 points as she hit three triples. Khylee Pepe chipped in 13 points and made several key plays on both ends as the Beach built a late cushion.

UC Riverside had chances in the final minute, but Long Beach State sealed the win at the free throw line and with timely defensive stops. The Beach finished the game shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 47.6 percent from three-point range, connecting on 10 triples overall.

The victory marked Long Beach State's second Big West win of the season and showcased the Beach's resilience, highlighted by Jones-Brown's career-tying night and a collective fourth-quarter push to close out the game.