Long Beach State defeats Cal State Bakersfield to break losing streak

Long Beach State’s Gavin Sykes led his team to victory over Cal State Bakersfield, ending a 10-game losing streak with an intense road win of 88-87. Sykes emerged as the star player of the game, scoring a career-high 39 points, including the game-winning basket with just seven seconds left on the clock. From the onset, Sykes showcased his skills by making his first eight shots and amassing 20 points in the initial eight minutes of gameplay, allowing Long Beach to establish a commanding 27-14 lead.

Despite Bakersfield’s efforts to counter, especially with Ronald Jessamy’s impressive performance of 33 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals, Long Beach maintained a narrow lead throughout the first half. The Roadrunners managed to narrow the gap following an 11-0 run, but Long Beach remained slightly ahead at halftime with a 44-43 lead, thanks to Christian Jones’s epic half-court shot as the buzzer sounded.

In the second half, Cole Farrell stepped up for Long Beach, contributing three crucial 3-pointers to keep the team’s lead intact. Although Long Beach shot an impressive 67% from the field in the second half, Bakersfield managed to stay competitive, aided by a significant free-throw advantage. The game was tightly contested until the final moments when Long Beach took a decisive three-point lead with three minutes left.

However, Bakersfield staged an impressive comeback, capitalizing on turnovers and converting them into points to reduce the deficit to just one point with only 44 seconds remaining. A missed free throw opportunity by Leopold Levillain and clutch free throws from Jessamy allowed Bakersfield to briefly take the lead. Still, Sykes, determined to secure the win for Long Beach, executed a stellar drive leading to the game-winning basket with mere seconds left on the clock.

Petar Majstorovic and Rob Diaz III also made significant contributions to Long Beach’s victory with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Levillain’s all-around performance of seven points, 13 rebounds, and three steals further bolstered Long Beach’s resilience throughout the game. Sykes’s stellar performance, shooting 14 for 21 from the field, and registering his 39-point effort alongside program legend Ed Ratleff, solidified his status as a key player for Long Beach State.

Despite Bakersfield’s valiant effort, with Hardy finishing strong with 19 points, six assists, and five steals, the team’s losing streak extended to 13 games. The stark contrast in free-throw percentages between the two teams played a pivotal role in the outcome of the game, with Bakersfield shooting 30 for 44 from the free-throw line compared to Long Beach’s 13 for 20.

Looking ahead, Long Beach State prepares to face UC Davis in their final home game of the season, aiming to build on their recent victory. As the Big West standings illustrate, Long Beach’s win against Bakersfield offers a glimmer of hope as they continue to navigate the challenges of their season and strive for greater success in the games to come.