The562’s coverage of Long Beach State athletics for the 2025-26 season is sponsored by Marilyn Bohl.
The Long Beach State men’s basketball program started 2026 exactly the way they wanted to on Saturday – with a win.
Behind a career night from sophomore Petar Majstorovic and suffocating team defense, the Beach took an early lead and didn’t look back as they beat Cal Poly 74-66 in the Gold Mine.
After rain forced a venue change, LBSU (5-10, 1-2 Big West) started fast as Majstorovic scored four of his 25 points in the opening minutes as the Beach jumped to an early 6-0. The sophomore also had a double-double grabbing 10 rebounds.
“My guys were doing a good job finding me on the high-low,” Majstorovic said. “Getting me the ball into the post, and getting me easy buckets. So, like, honestly, it’s all like thanks to my teammates.”
The quick start was reminiscent to LBSU’s dominating win against Lincoln, but the biggest adjustment came on the defensive side of the ball as the Beach held Cal Poly to 26 points in the first half on 25 percent shooting from the field.
Heading into the the contest Hamad Ward, Big West leading scorer, Peter Bandelj and Cayden Ward were a formidable trio averaging 50 points combined heading into the contest. However, LBSU played stifling defense, and held the trio to a mere seven points in the first half and kept the Mustangs scoreless in the final 6:53 of the first half.
“Those three guys are really good players,” Long Beach State coach Chris Acker said. “They put a lot of pressure on you from the 3-point line. They drive, they get downhill – they’re physical. So, you got to really stand your ground. I’m just proud of our guys.
After LBSU took a 15-9 lead midway through the first period, Cal Poly went on an 8-1 run to take a 17-16. Thanks to their defense, the Beach answered right back as Cole Farrell and Rob Diaz scored on turnovers as LBSU went on their own 7-0 run to take a 23-17 lead.
Diaz has been a spark for the Beach after being inserted into the starting line up for the second straight game. His defense made a difference as he had two blocks and three steals.
“For Rob is that his toughness is it permeates. So he’s not going to do a whole lot of talking, but he’s going to stand his ground on the defense,” Acker said of Diaz’s activeness on the defensive side of the ball. “Guys are trying to drive in baskets that they normally get one on one, they weren’t able to get on him.”
In the second half, the Beach continued to take advantage inside as they outscored the Mustangs 46-18 and pushed the lead to 25 points midway through the second half.
Cal Poly started to cut into the lead but the Beach held on for their first conference win. Gavin Sykes continued his impressive freshman campaign with 16 points and Cole Farrell chipped in 10 points.
LBSU will be back in action next Thursday when they head to Irvine to renew the Black and Blue rivalry.
“They’re a really good team,” Acker said. “They’ve been the pillar of this league for a long period of time. Our job is just prepare and put a game plan together.”
