Long Beach State University Athletics
Thursday, February 26
San Luis Obispo, Calif.
7 p.m.
Long Beach State University
8-21,4-13Big West
92
at
102
Cal Poly
13-16,9-8Big West
1
2
F
Long Beach St.
40
52
92
Cal Poly
48
54
102
Photo by: John Fajardo
Sykes Sets Freshman Scoring Record In Shootout Loss At Cal Poly
2/26/2026 9:57:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Sykes scored 28 points, passing Lucious Harris for the most points scored by a freshman in one season at Long Beach State.
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Freshman Gavin Sykes scored 28 points to lead a strong offensive effort for Long Beach State, but the Beach couldn't slow down Cal Poly in a high-scoring affair as the Mustangs won 102-92.
Scoring 22 points in the second half, Sykes hit a baseline jumper to move past Beach legend Lucious Harris, finishing the game with 469 points in his freshman season, now the most ever for a true freshman at Long Beach State (8-21, 4-13 Big West).
It was others for the Beach who led the way early. Shaquil Bender had seven quick points, Cole Farrell hit a three, and the Beach were on top 20-18 over the first eight minutes.
Continuing to be a tight contest, a Petar Majstorovic dunk and a Bender layup had the Beach down one with five minutes to play, but Cal Poly (13-16, 9-8 Big West) got rolling, going on a 9-0 run to open up a 10-point lead, a cushion that saw the Mustangs lead 48-40 at the half.
That edge would be critical in the second half, as Sykes got rolling offensively and got help on that end of the floor for Long Beach State, who had four finish in double figures. Cal Poly, however, shot 54.3% from the field and had two scorers match the effort from Sykes. Big West leading scorer Hamad Mousa finished with 29 points and Cayden Ward added 28 for Cal Poly, as Long Beach State couldn't cut into the gap on the way to the 102-92 defeat.
Long Beach State will remain on the road, facing Cal State Bakersfield at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, live on ESPN+.
Scoring 22 points in the second half, Sykes hit a baseline jumper to move past Beach legend Lucious Harris, finishing the game with 469 points in his freshman season, now the most ever for a true freshman at Long Beach State (8-21, 4-13 Big West).
It was others for the Beach who led the way early. Shaquil Bender had seven quick points, Cole Farrell hit a three, and the Beach were on top 20-18 over the first eight minutes.
Continuing to be a tight contest, a Petar Majstorovic dunk and a Bender layup had the Beach down one with five minutes to play, but Cal Poly (13-16, 9-8 Big West) got rolling, going on a 9-0 run to open up a 10-point lead, a cushion that saw the Mustangs lead 48-40 at the half.
That edge would be critical in the second half, as Sykes got rolling offensively and got help on that end of the floor for Long Beach State, who had four finish in double figures. Cal Poly, however, shot 54.3% from the field and had two scorers match the effort from Sykes. Big West leading scorer Hamad Mousa finished with 29 points and Cayden Ward added 28 for Cal Poly, as Long Beach State couldn't cut into the gap on the way to the 102-92 defeat.
Long Beach State will remain on the road, facing Cal State Bakersfield at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 28, live on ESPN+.
Team Stats
LBSU
CPO
FG%
.466
.466
3FG%
.333
.351
FT%
.882
.955
RB
38
42
TO
8
8
STL
5
5
Game Leaders
Pts
28
FGM
9
3FGM
5
FTM
5
Pts
18
FGM
7
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
Guard
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