UC Irvine Holds Off Men’s Basketball In Black And Blue Rivalry 74-64

Thursday, January 8

Irvine, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

5-11,1-3Big West

UC Irvine

12-5,5-0Big West

Long Beach St.

UC Irvine

UC Irvine Holds Off Men’s Basketball In Black And Blue Rivalry 74-64

1/8/2026 10:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Gavin Sykes scored 21 for Long Beach State while Petar Majstorovic added 15.

By: Roger Kirk, Associate Athletics Director, Communications & Broadcast

IRVINE, Calif. – Freshman Gavin Sykes again finished with over 20 points, but UC Irvine pulled away from Long Beach State in the second half to remain unbeaten in Big West play in a 74-64 defeat for the Beach on Thursday.

Sykes again led Long Beach State (5-11, 1-3 Big West) in scoring to remain among the national freshman leaders, putting up 21 points for his ninth 20-point game of the season. Sophomore Petar Majstorovic also had a strong day, scoring 15 points with a team-high eight rebounds along with three assists and three steals.

The Beach got going early against UC Irvine (12-5, 5-0 Big West), as that duo gave Long Beach State a 6-2 lead in the opening minutes of the contest. That early momentum helped the Beach battle the 'Eaters through the first half, chipping away at a 10-point lead to pull to within four at the half, 34-30.

A Cole Farrell drive cut the lead to three in the first minute of the second, but UC Irvine responded with a 14-3 run to open up the game, taking a 52-37 lead with just under 15 minutes to play. Long Beach State managed the margin from there, but couldn't make up any significant ground on the way to a 74-64 defeat.

Jurian Dixon led the way for the Anteaters with 23 points, while Kyle Evans added 15 points.

Long Beach State returns to Long Beach on Saturday, hosting Cal State Bakersfield in the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid at 4 p.m. on ESPN+.