Back And Forth Battle With UCSD Goes To The Tritons

Thursday, February 5

La Jolla, Calif.

7 p.m.

Long Beach State University

8-16,4-8Big West

UC San Diego

16-8,6-6Big West

Long Beach St.

UC San Diego

2/5/2026 9:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Shaquil Bender led Long Beach State with 22 points as the Beach had three with 18 or more.

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

LA JOLLA, Calif. – In a game marked by big runs on both sides, it was the home team who struck last as UC San Diego rallied in the closing minutes to defeat Long Beach State 77-74.

Shaquil Bender matched his season high for Long Beach State (8-16, 4-8 Big West), Petar Majstorovic scored 18 and Rob Diaz III added 18 as the trio carried the scoring load for the Beach, but a big advantage for UC San Diego (16-8, 6-6 Big West) on the glass carried the Tritons to the win.

It was all Long Beach State early, as the Beach roared to a big lead. Bender and Diaz both hit early threes and a spate of Triton turnovers forced by gritty LBSU defense had Long Beach State open the game on a 13-0 run over the first four minutes.

It was the Tritons who bounced back next, chipping away and then going on a 12-2 run to even the score at 24-24, ultimately taking a 38-30 lead into halftime as the Beach became limited due to foul trouble.

With Bender and Majstorovic back to start the second half, this time it was Long Beach State's turn to assert control. A 3-pointer from Isaiah Lewis tied the game at 45 in another great start to the half for the Beach, and then a Bender driving layup put Long Beach State on top by three at 50-47.

The two teams would then push back and forth, but with UC San Diego on top at 69-66 with just under six minutes to play, the Beach made another strong push. Going on an 8-2 run, Long Beach State took a 74-71 lead behind plays from Cole Farrell and Leopold Levillain, with the team's depth showing in the closing minutes.

The Tritons would have the last rally, however, as Long Beach State went cold in their final possessions and UCSD was able to recover, taking a 77-74 win with six straight free throws to secure the victory.

Majstorovic led Long Beach State with eight rebounds, but the Tritons had 12 offensive rebounds that led to 13 points in addition to a 42-26 edge on the glass.

Long Beach State will take Saturday off and return to Big West play on Thursday, February 12 when they host Cal State Fullerton in a rivalry game in the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on ESPN+.