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 team has been needing a spark.
Heading into Thursday’s game on a seven-game losing streak It looked like they might have found it as they forced UC Irvine into 15 first-half turnovers.
However, the Beach couldn’t find enough answers offensively as they turned the ball over 11 times themselves in the opening half and the Anteaters surged in the second half to pull away for a 69-58 win.
“Just come with more fight,” Long Beach State coach Chris Acker said about what the team needs to do to have a chance to make the Big West Tournament. “A little more fight, a little more energy and not turn the ball over. Some of our turnovers were just egregious – I didn’t understand them.”
While the Beach welcomed back freshman phenom Gavin Sykes, who has been nursing an injury – Long Beach was once again looking for someone to step up to provide a lift outside of Sykes and sophomore Petar Majstorovic who scored 16 and 13 points, respectively.
“Offensively, we need to understand our strengths,” Acker said. “We have to explain to our guys what they’re really good at and stick to that.”
It was a similar message that has resonated from Acker this season as the Beach searches for a third and fourth option as the offensive load has fallen on Sykes and Majstorovic at times as the duo were the only guys to play 30 or more minutes in the loss.
While Long Beach has had their offensive woes, the defense did a decent job holding UCI to only 24 points in the first half. The Beach took advantage of the turnovers forcing a 18-18 tie with 4:08 left in the first half, but that was the closest Long Beach got as they never led in the game and dropped their eighth straight contest.
“(It) was a lack of conviction at times,” Acker said. “I’m trying to figure out who’s ready to go. Certain guys not playing confident, turning the ball over. But credit Irvine – they did a good job putting us in tough situations.”
UCI’s Kyle Evans showed why he’s one of the better defenders in the country as he had six blocks on the night to go with his team high 14 points and 11 rebounds – while shooting 5-7 from the field.
Harrison Carrington and Derin Saran each scored 13 and Jurian Dixon had 11 to make it four Anteaters in double figures.
The Beach welcomed back Christian Jones who hasn’t played since December.
“I was excited about some guys that came back tonight that hadn’t played in a long time,” Acker said. “Christian being one of the them.”
The Beach (8-19, 4-11 Big West) have another big game on Saturday as they host Cal State Northridge.
“My message is get outside yourself.” Acker said about his message to the team. “Look in the stands. Think about your teammates. Come ready to compete.
