Women’s Basketball Returns To The Pyramid For Big West Opener Against Gauchos

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Long Beach State returns to the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on Thursday to open Big West play against UC Santa Barbara, looking to build on a stretch of steady improvement that included competitive showings against San Francisco, Sacramento State and a strong performance at Oregon State. The series with UC Santa Barbara remains one of the closest rivalries in the Big West. The Gauchos lead the all-time series 29 to 22 and have won the last two matchups. Long Beach State looks to reclaim momentum in the series and build on a history that includes multiple tight finishes and competitive late-season meetings.

RIGHT AWAY
• Long Beach State is coming off its strongest showing of the season at Oregon State, where the Beach held a halftime lead and carried a 48 to 47 advantage into the fourth before the Beavers closed on a late run in a 71 to 55 result. The performance highlighted LBSU’s growth in defensive pressure, rebounding and execution through three quarters and reflected the team’s most complete effort to date.

• The Beach also delivered competitive outings against San Francisco and Sacramento State, outscoring the Dons in the third quarter and holding the Hornets to 57 points, which was more than 20 below their season average. Both games demonstrated continued improvement in half-court defense, ball movement and overall consistency as the rotation has settled into greater rhythm.

• Long Beach State enters Big West play with clear signs of week-to-week progress. The Beach have increased their rebounding production, tightened their defensive rotations and shown improved shot creation late in possessions. The group has faced one of the league’s tougher nonconference schedules and now turns the page toward conference play with deeper contributions across the roster.

• Senior guard JaQuoia Jones-Brown has established herself as one of the top guards in the Big West and the focal point of the Beach offense. She set back-to-back career scoring highs with 19 points against California Baptist and 29 against Sacramento State, followed by her second double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds against San Francisco. She also posted a double-double at Colorado State and ranks among the conference leaders in scoring, rebounding and minutes. Her consistency earned her the program’s first Big West Player of the Week honor this season.

• Freshman forward Rosie Akot delivered a breakout performance at Oregon State with her first collegiate double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds. She sparked the Beach with her activity on the offensive glass, her ability to finish through contact and her steadiness in key defensive possessions. Her development has strengthened the Beach frontcourt rotation heading into conference play.

• Freshman guard Brynna Pukis continues to emerge as an important offensive weapon on the perimeter. Her first double-figure outing came with 14 points against San Francisco, and she has shown the ability to create off the dribble, attack closeouts and stretch the floor from deep. Her confidence and efficiency provide needed spacing and a reliable spark for the Beach offense.

• Forward Judit Oliva Fernandez remains one of the most dependable interior presences on the roster. She enters Big West play averaging 8.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and ranks among the conference leaders in blocked shots. Her scoring touch around the basket, defensive instincts and rim protection have anchored the Beach frontcourt throughout the nonconference slate.