Long Beach State University Athletics
11/11/2026 10:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Jack Payne scored 18 points for Long Beach State in the win.
LONG BEACH, Calif. – Hosting Pacific in their first game this season in the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid, Long Beach State was led by senior Jack Payne who had a phenomenal night as the Beach pulled in front for the first time in the second half but held off the Tigers 62-59.
Payne led Long Beach State (1-2) in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals in an all-around performance to lead the Beach to a solid early-season win against previously unbeaten Pacific (2-1). The Tigers had a star performance of their own from CJ Jones, who came off the bench for Pacific after two early fouls to starting point guard Jaden Winston, and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor in the first half for 11 points along with two blocks. That helped stake Pacific to an early lead.
On top 11-5 after a 3-pointer from Jaion Pitt, Pacific would eventually open up a nine-point lead at 16-9, but Payne would answer with a three for the Beach. Twice more in the first half, the Tigers would push the edge to nine but each time the Beach had an answer. In the closing minutes of the half JJ Chaikovsky, who was making his season debut, hit two crucial free throws to cut the lead to three, and then a runner from Jaden Tengan cut the lead to one point before the half at 34-33.
Early paint touches in the second half kept the Tigers in the lead, and the edge ballooned once more to nine points at 44-35 with just over 13 minutes to play. Continuing to show their grit, the Beach rallied back once more, and this time for good. Down 50-42, a 3-pointer by Payne sparked a run that cut the lead to one, and finally a driving layup by Yohann Sissoko gave the Beach their first lead of the night at 54-53 with just over four minutes remaining.
Tied at 55, the Beach held defensively and did most of the rest of their work from the free throw line. Up 58-55, the Beach got a key basket from Tengan on an inside pass from Noah Amenhauser who was also making his LBSU debut to put the Beach up five at 60-55 with just over a minute to play. From there, the Beach did enough from the line to close out the victory 62-59 with a couple of late steals from Jack Payne who set a new career high with five steals on the night.
In addition to Payne, Sissoko, McCaden Adams and Amenhauser all finished in double figures for Long Beach State. Payne had six rebounds for the Beach while Amenhauser added five in the first game for the 7-2 center at the Beach.
Long Beach State will face their first ranked opponent of the season, traveling to Pauley Pavilion to take on No. 9 UCLA on Monday, November 16 in the next game for the Beach.
Payne led Long Beach State (1-2) in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals in an all-around performance to lead the Beach to a solid early-season win against previously unbeaten Pacific (2-1). The Tigers had a star performance of their own from CJ Jones, who came off the bench for Pacific after two early fouls to starting point guard Jaden Winston, and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the floor in the first half for 11 points along with two blocks. That helped stake Pacific to an early lead.
On top 11-5 after a 3-pointer from Jaion Pitt, Pacific would eventually open up a nine-point lead at 16-9, but Payne would answer with a three for the Beach. Twice more in the first half, the Tigers would push the edge to nine but each time the Beach had an answer. In the closing minutes of the half JJ Chaikovsky, who was making his season debut, hit two crucial free throws to cut the lead to three, and then a runner from Jaden Tengan cut the lead to one point before the half at 34-33.
Early paint touches in the second half kept the Tigers in the lead, and the edge ballooned once more to nine points at 44-35 with just over 13 minutes to play. Continuing to show their grit, the Beach rallied back once more, and this time for good. Down 50-42, a 3-pointer by Payne sparked a run that cut the lead to one, and finally a driving layup by Yohann Sissoko gave the Beach their first lead of the night at 54-53 with just over four minutes remaining.
Tied at 55, the Beach held defensively and did most of the rest of their work from the free throw line. Up 58-55, the Beach got a key basket from Tengan on an inside pass from Noah Amenhauser who was also making his LBSU debut to put the Beach up five at 60-55 with just over a minute to play. From there, the Beach did enough from the line to close out the victory 62-59 with a couple of late steals from Jack Payne who set a new career high with five steals on the night.
In addition to Payne, Sissoko, McCaden Adams and Amenhauser all finished in double figures for Long Beach State. Payne had six rebounds for the Beach while Amenhauser added five in the first game for the 7-2 center at the Beach.
Long Beach State will face their first ranked opponent of the season, traveling to Pauley Pavilion to take on No. 9 UCLA on Monday, November 16 in the next game for the Beach.
Players Mentioned
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