The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2023-24 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
The562’s coverage of Long Beach State basketball for the 2023-24 season is sponsored by Nelson Farris.
Long Beach State came away with a win in Malibu as they faced off against the Pepperdine Waves. This win helped break Long Beach’s two-game losing streak, increasing their record to 3-2.
“Any road win is a good win,” LBSU coach Amy Wright said. “The players came in and executed really well. It’s just a boost of confidence going into our next couple of games.”
The Beach came out strong from the start of the game. This constant pressure allowed Long Beach State to break up passes, win rebounds, and disrupt Pepperdine.
“We like to hit first and we like to play fast,” starting guard Cheyenne Givens said. “Fast, furious, fun.”
Starting junior guard Savannah Tucker echoed these sentiments, saying that intensity was the goal of the game.
“We had a goal this game, the coaches gave us a game plan and we executed that,” Tucker said. “It starts with warm ups, coming out and communicating. I think we did that today.”
Tucker was the leading scorer for the Beach, contributing 14 points to the overall 68.
“I try to do what I can do to help the team,” Tucker said. “Whether that’s rebounding or scoring, we just play together and that’s how we come away with these wins.”
Rebounding was a large factor of the contest, and the Beach collected 32 total rebounds.
“We want to play with everybody crashing and getting after it,” Givens said. “We like second chances.”
Givens led her team with six rebounds. Givens was one of Long Beach State’s strongest players coming off the bench, scoring 11 points total.
“I get an opportunity to see what my team needs,” Givens said. “I get to add to what we’re lacking or add on to what we are already doing well.”
A lot of game play was disrupted by fouls on both teams. Long Beach had 15 personal fouls and 23 fouls drawn with one technical foul on freshman forward Jada Crawshaw in the fourth quarter. Pepperdine had 23 personal fouls with 14 fouls drawn.
“Staying with composure and having patience is just part of the game,” Tucker said. “I think it’s just who can mentally win that game.”
Long Beach State was 13 for 20 from the free throw line, going on a six free throw streak in the fourth quarter to close out their win. Wright said the little things in the game, such as these free throws, were crucial to the Beach’s success.
“You win games and lose games that way,” Wright said. “One of our key things tonight was the little things. Whether it’s a hustle play, getting deflections, steals, tips, assists, all those things add up over time.”
Long Beach State is hoping to carry this victory momentum into upcoming games, especially with conference play coming up by the end of December.
“We’re getting back to our game, which is pushing the pace,” Givens said. “We stayed true to ourselves this game.”
