Byers' dunk lifts Long Beach State past Pepperdine, 67-66
LONG BEACH, Calif. -- KJ Byers' dunk in the closing seconds lifted Long Beach State to a 67-66 win over Pepperdine on Thursday night.
Long Beach State had been idle since suffering a 74-68 loss to Pacific December 10, and after playing nine of its first 12 games on the road, opened a two-game home stand against the Waves.
Colbey Ross hit a jumper with :54 left to put the Waves up by three, 64-61, but Jordan Roberts scored at the basket and Byers hit a jumper with :32 left to put Long Beach State up by one, 65-64. Ross hit two free throws to put Pepperdine back in front, but Byers took a feed from Temidayo Yussuf and dunked with :05 left for the game-winning basket. Jade' Smith missed a 3-point attempt with a second left for Pepperdine.
Yussuf turned in his fourth double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds. Byers finished with 10 points and six boards for the 49ers (4-9).
Ross finished with 23 points for Pepperdine (6-7), which remains winless on the road. Smith finished with 11 rebounds.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Verne Harris
- Donn Berdahl
- David Hall
2024-25 West Coast Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's | 6-0 | - | 16-3 |
| San Francisco | 6-2 | 1 | 16-5 |
| Washington State | 5-2 | 1.5 | 15-5 |
| Gonzaga | 5-2 | 1.5 | 14-6 |
| Santa Clara | 5-2 | 1.5 | 13-7 |
| Oregon State | 4-3 | 2.5 | 14-6 |
| Loyola Marymount | 3-4 | 3.5 | 11-8 |
| Pepperdine | 1-5 | 5 | 7-12 |
| Portland | 1-6 | 5.5 | 6-14 |
| Pacific | 1-6 | 5.5 | 6-15 |
| San Diego | 1-6 | 5.5 | 4-16 |
2024-25 Big West Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 7-0 | - | 17-2 |
| UC San Diego | 5-2 | 2 | 15-4 |
| UC Davis | 5-3 | 2.5 | 11-8 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 4-3 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Cal State Northridge | 4-3 | 3 | 12-6 |
| Hawai'i | 4-3 | 3 | 12-6 |
| UC Riverside | 4-3 | 3 | 11-8 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 3-4 | 4 | 9-10 |
| Long Beach State | 3-4 | 4 | 7-12 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 1-7 | 6.5 | 6-14 |
| Cal Poly | 0-8 | 7.5 | 6-14 |
Men's College Basketball News
