Pepperdine men’s basketball team is set to take on Long Beach State in a crucial matchup on Thursday at 7 p.m. This game will be held at the Long Beach State Financial Credit Union Pyramid and marks Pepperdine’s final non-conference road game of the season. Viewers can catch the live action on ESPN+, with real-time stats available online.
Recent Performance
The Waves, now standing at 4-7, are looking to achieve consecutive victories for the first time this season. Their last game saw a successful road trip against CSU Bakersfield, where they secured a 70-62 win. Aaron Clark was the standout player, scoring 25 points on 10-for-15 shooting and making a career-high five steals. Additionally, teammate Javon Cooley contributed 17 points, with 14 of those in the second half.
Team Statistics
- Pepperdine ranks 17th nationally in free throw percentage at .781.
- The team averages 12.8 offensive rebounds per game, placing third in the West Coast Conference (WCC).
- Styles Phipps is notable for averaging over 11.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, and five assists per game, making him one of just three players nationally with such stats.
- Cooley ranks among the top players in the WCC for both scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game.
Key Players
- Aaron Clark: Leads with 14.3 points per game and is noted for his versatile scoring.
- Javon Cooley: Holds an impressive .957 free throw percentage and has hit 44 consecutive free throws.
- Styles Phipps: Averaging 5.3 assists per game, he is a key playmaker for the Waves.
Matchup History
Pepperdine holds a 17-12 advantage in their all-time series against Long Beach State. However, the Beach have dominated recent encounters, winning seven of the last nine games. In their previous meeting, Long Beach secured a narrow 79-76 victory last season at Malibu. The Waves’ last trip to Long Beach resulted in a heartbreaking 67-66 loss in 2018.
About Long Beach State
Long Beach State currently has a record of 2-9, with both wins coming against Nobel and San Diego. The team has been struggling lately, entering this game on a three-game losing streak. Freshman Gavin Sykes leads the Beach with an average of 17.1 points per game, while Syracuse transfer Petar Majstorovic contributes 13.8 points and a team-high 6.3 rebounds.
Upcoming Schedule
Following the game against Long Beach, Pepperdine will return home to face Rice on Saturday. This matchup will kick off at 6 p.m. at Firestone Fieldhouse.
Follow the Waves
To keep up with the latest updates on Pepperdine men’s basketball, follow the team on social media @PepperdineMBB.
