Long Beach State University Athletics
Long Beach State University
Hawai'i
Beach Bring Momentum To The Islands For Big West Clash At Hawai’i
1/30/2026 3:26:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Long Beach State looks to build against one of the league’s toughest home defenses
LONG BEACH, Calif. - Long Beach State heads to Honolulu carrying momentum and confidence after its strongest showing of conference play, a wire-to-wire 75-72 win over UC Riverside. The Beach now faces a different kind of test against a disciplined Hawai'i squad that thrives on defensive pressure, rebounding, and controlling pace at home.
RIGHT AWAY
• Long Beach State heads to Honolulu following its most complete performance of conference play, a 75-72 win over UC Riverside at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. The Beach closed the game with composure after multiple momentum swings, earning its second Big West victory of the season.
• Execution against pressure remains central. Hawai'i ranks among the league's top defensive teams in scoring defense and field goal percentage allowed, consistently forcing opponents into late-clock decisions.
• JaQuoia Jones-Brown continues to anchor the Beach on both ends. She tied her career-high with 29 points against UC Riverside, adding six rebounds and four assists while playing all 40 minutes. Jones-Brown leads the Big West in minutes per game and ranks top five in league scoring, rebounding, and free throw percentage.
• Rebounding will be a swing factor. Hawai'i sits near the top of the conference in rebounding margin and defensive rebounding percentage, led by a physical frontcourt that limits second chances. Long Beach State averages 36.0 rebounds per game and will need consistent contributions to stay even on the glass.
• Guard play and spacing will shape the matchup. Kennan Ka and Khylee Pepe combined for 15 assists in the last two games, and Brynna Pukis has provided timely perimeter shooting. Against a Hawai'i defense that closes aggressively, shot selection and ball reversals will be critical to generating clean looks.
• Frontcourt growth continues to show. Freshmen Rosie Akot and Morgan Mack have provided increased energy and rim pressure in recent games. Akot is shooting over 40 percent from three in conference play and has recorded multiple double-digit rebounding performances this season.
• Closing quarters remains a point of emphasis. Long Beach State has shown improved fourth-quarter efficiency in its last two outings, outscoring opponents late after struggling in third quarters earlier in the season. Sustaining focus through Hawai'i's runs will be essential in a challenging road environment.
ABOUT THE BEACH
• In a Beach Reads feature from Long Beach State Athletics, JaQuoia Jones-Brown's authenticity and unfiltered approach are highlighted as central to her leadership and on-court impact this season, with her growth driven by self-confidence, a team-first mentality, and consistent production. Read more at www.longbeachstate.com.
• Judit Oliva Fernandez has had extensive experience playing Internationally for Spain in 3x3 tournaments, an experience that she detailed for the Long Beach State Beach Reads series found at www.longbeachstate.com.
• Other returning players for Long Beach State in addition to Jones-Brown, Richards, Oliva Fernandez and Ka include sophomore guard Christy Reynoso, forward Brelynn Brice and center Haley Wright. The trio combined for 32 games played during the 2024-25 campaign.
• Two redshirts also return for Long Beach State. Tairat Samuel-Afolabi is a redshirt freshman from Sweden, while Lauren Cummings returns after playing 26 games in 2023-24 before redshirting last season.
• Khylee Pepe gives Long Beach State some veteran experience, joining the program as a senior after spending four years at San Diego State, including one as a medical redshirt in 2024-25. Pepe played in all 35 games for the Aztecs in 2023-24 as a junior, averaging 4.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. In total, Pepe played in 95 games with San Diego State after entering the program as a high school recruit from Bishop Montgomery High School.
• Long Beach State brought in three high school recruits to join the team this season. Rosie Akot is a 6-2 forward whose intensity was noted by Wright, coming from Adelaide in Australia. Morgan Mack is a 5-10 guard from Lancaster, who finished her career as the top scorer in Hart HS history, while Brynna Pukis was a four-time first-team all-league selection at Glacier Peak High School in Washington.
• Long Beach State made two changes to the staff in the offseason. Jesse Clark joined the program as an assistant coach, coming to the Beach from the Academy of Art in San Francisco where he was the head coach for the last two seasons, capping over 25 years in coaching across multiple levels. The Beach added Ashley Arroyo as the team's Director of Basketball Operations, while Jashae Lee and Raru Archer return for their third seasons on staff with Amy Wright and Long Beach State.
