Long Beach State Battles To The End Against UC San Diego But Falls Late at Home

Thursday, February 5

Long Beach, Calif.

6 p.m.

Long Beach State University

3-19,2-10Big West

UC San Diego

16-6,11-1Big West

UC San Diego

Long Beach St.

Long Beach State Battles To The End Against UC San Diego But Falls Late at Home

2/5/2026 9:07:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The Beach stayed within striking distance for four quarters before foul trouble and late free throws swung a tightly contested 64-53 decision at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid

By: Chelsea Pfohl, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

LONG BEACH, Calif. - Long Beach State went toe to toe with first place UC San Diego for nearly the entire night before fouls, free throws, and late game fatigue tilted the outcome in a 64-53 loss Thursday at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid.

The Beach controlled the early tempo, winning the opening quarter 16-12 behind strong ball movement and second chance scoring. Brynna Pukis set the tone immediately, knocking down two three pointers in the first period, while Tairat Samuel-Afolabi capped the quarter with a putback layup. LBSU held UCSD to 33.3 percent shooting in the frame and forced multiple turnovers, leading by as many as four.

UC San Diego responded in the second quarter by leaning heavily on Erin Condron inside. The Tritons generated extra possessions through offensive rebounding and free throw opportunities, tying the game at 18 midway through the period. JaQuoia Jones-Brown scored off an offensive rebound to keep the Beach level late, but UCSD's ability to draw fouls allowed them to briefly regain control. Long Beach State still entered halftime with a narrow 26-24 advantage after holding UCSD to just 12 points in the quarter.

The third quarter proved pivotal. UC San Diego opened the half attacking the paint and living on the offensive glass, scoring 18 points in the period. Condron scored 13 points in the quarter alone, repeatedly finishing second chance opportunities and getting to the line. LBSU stayed within striking distance behind interior scoring from Jones-Brown and Khylee Pepe, but foul trouble began to compress the rotation and limit defensive pressure. UCSD took a 42-36 lead into the final period.

The Beach made one final push in the fourth. Pukis hit a floater to give LBSU its first lead since the first half at 49-48 with 4:30 remaining, capping a stretch where Long Beach State shot 57.1 percent in the quarter. However, UC San Diego answered immediately at the free throw line and then delivered the decisive blow with a 12-0 run over a 1:22 span. The Tritons scored 22 points in the final period, going 13-for-14 from the line, while fatigue set in for an LBSU group that relied heavily on its starters.

Pukis led Long Beach State with 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting and 4-for-6 from three. Pepe added 13 points, while Jones-Brown finished with 12 points, five rebounds, and five assists in nearly 40 minutes of action. Morgan Mack pulled down a team-high seven rebounds as LBSU outscored UCSD 28-26 in the paint and 18-4 in bench points.

The difference came at the free throw line, where UC San Diego went 29-for-34 compared to Long Beach State's 4-for-10, and in late game execution as foul accumulation and fatigue limited defensive flexibility down the stretch.