Montana State Tops Long Beach State 78-72 in Close Matchup
Friday, November 21, 2025, 10:00 PM ET · LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid
Montana State Bobcats 78, Long Beach State Beach 72, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Montana State Bobcats vs Long Beach State Beach?
Montana State Bobcats beat Long Beach State Beach 78-72 at LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on November 21, 2025.
In a tightly contested game, the Montana State Bobcats edged out the Long Beach State Beach with a final score of 78-72 at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. This matchup was significant as it showcased the contrasting fortunes of both teams in the early part of the season. Long Beach State entered the game with a home record of 1-5 and a recent form of 1-9 over their last ten games, while Montana State had a better away record of 3-4 and was 5-5 in their last ten outings.
Long Beach State's recent performance has been a struggle, with their last victory coming against the Nobel Knights on November 20, where they won decisively 87-54. However, prior to that, they faced a series of losses, including a narrow defeat to the Illinois State Redbirds, losing 80-82. Their scoring average over the last ten games stood at 67.5 points per game, while they allowed an average of 73.3 points, indicating defensive vulnerabilities that Montana State capitalized on.
On the other side, Montana State has shown more resilience, recently winning against the Nobel Knights as well, with an impressive score of 92-55. Their scoring average of 77.0 points per game, combined with a solid defensive average of 64.9 points allowed, reflects a more balanced team performance. The Bobcats have been particularly effective at home, with a 3-1 record, but their away struggles have been evident with a 2-4 record on the road.
In terms of previous meetings, the history between these two teams was not highlighted in the provided facts, but the current form and records suggested that Montana State was favored to win, which they did. The injury picture was not detailed in the block, leaving the impact of player availability unknown.
The market had priced the game with Long Beach State's home win probability at 0.0, indicating a strong expectation for a Montana State victory. This aligns with the final outcome, as the Bobcats maintained control in the second half, despite a competitive effort from Long Beach State.
The game was characterized by several key scoring plays in the second half, with Shaquil Bender and Patrick McMahon making crucial contributions for Montana State. Bender's layup and subsequent free throws helped extend their lead late in the game, while McMahon's jumper and free throws solidified their advantage. Long Beach State fought hard, but ultimately fell short, unable to close the gap in the final moments.
Overall, this matchup highlighted the challenges Long Beach State faces as they continue to seek improvement, while Montana State appears to be finding their rhythm as they progress through the season.
Leaders
- PointsGavin Sykes24Long Beach State Beach
- AssistsRob Diaz III3Long Beach State Beach
- ReboundsPetar Majstorovic8Long Beach State Beach
- PointsJeremiah Davis15Montana State Bobcats
- AssistsChris Hodges3Montana State Bobcats
- ReboundsPatrick McMahon8Montana State Bobcats
Recent form
Long Beach State Beach
Last 10: 1-9Streak W167.5 scored · 73.3 allowed per game1-4 at home
- W87-54vs Nobel KnightsNov 20
- L80-82vs Illinois State RedbirdsNov 17
- L66-69at Pacific TigersNov 13
- L62-82at Fresno State BulldogsNov 8
- L45-77at San Diego State AztecsNov 5
- L69-83vs Cal Poly MustangsMar 9
- L63-70at UC San Diego TritonsMar 7
- L60-70at UC Irvine AnteatersMar 2
- L87-88vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersFeb 28
- L56-58vs UC Santa Barbara GauchosFeb 23
Montana State Bobcats
Last 10: 5-5Streak W177 scored · 64.9 allowed per game2-4 away
- W92-55vs Nobel KnightsNov 20
- L58-62at Boise State BroncosNov 15
- L68-77at Stanford CardinalNov 13
- L73-75vs Denver PioneersNov 9
- W114-44vs Northwest Indian RedHawksNov 6
- L78-84at Colorado BuffaloesNov 4
- L45-72at Northern Colorado BearsMar 12
- W80-60at Idaho State BengalsMar 10
- W75-60vs Idaho VandalsMar 4
- W87-60at Sacramento State HornetsMar 1
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland State | 20-11 | - | 13-5 |
| Montana State | 18-14 | 1 | 12-6 |
| Eastern Washington | 14-19 | 2 | 11-7 |
| Northern Colorado | 20-12 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Montana | 18-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Weber State | 16-16 | 3 | 10-8 |
| Idaho | 21-15 | 4 | 9-9 |
| Sacramento State | 10-21 | 8 | 6-12 |
| Idaho State | 13-20 | 8 | 5-13 |
| Northern Arizona | 10-22 | 9 | 4-14 |
| UC Irvine | 23-12 | - | 15-5 |
| Hawai'i | 24-9 | 1 | 14-6 |
| UC San Diego | 23-11 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Northridge | 20-14 | 3 | 12-8 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 18-16 | 3 | 12-8 |
| UC Davis | 19-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 18-14 | 4 | 11-9 |
| Cal Poly | 14-19 | 5 | 10-10 |
| Long Beach State | 10-22 | 9 | 6-14 |
| UC Riverside | 10-22 | 10 | 5-15 |
| Cal State Bakersfield | 8-24 | 13 | 2-18 |
Box score
| Stat | Montana State Bobcats | Long Beach State Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 28-58 | 27-60 |
| Field goal % | 48 | 45 |
| Three-pointers | 8-22 | 5-14 |
| Three-point % | 36 | 36 |
| Free throws | 14-19 | 13-17 |
| Free throw % | 74 | 76 |
| Rebounds | 31 | 35 |
| Offensive rebounds | 7 | 10 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 25 |
| Assists | 13 | 6 |
| Steals | 7 | 4 |
| Blocks | 2 | 2 |
| Turnovers | 9 | 11 |
| Team turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 21 | 9 |
| Fast-break points | 3 | 0 |
| Points in the paint | 38 | 34 |
| Fouls | 16 | 20 |
| Largest lead | 9 | 2 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half42-40Chris Hodges made Jumper.
- 2nd Half42-42Shaquil Bender made Layup.
- 2nd Half45-42Davian Brown made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Chris Hodges.
- 2nd Half47-42Patrick McMahon made Layup.
- 2nd Half48-42Patrick McMahon made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half48-45Shaquil Bender made Three Point Jumper.
- 2nd Half48-47Gavin Sykes made Layup.
- 2nd Half50-47Waka Mbatch made Layup. Assisted by Davian Brown.
- 2nd Half53-47Davian Brown made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Patrick McMahon.
- 2nd Half53-49Derrick Michael Xzavierro made Layup.
- 2nd Half54-49Christian King made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half55-49Christian King made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half55-51Gavin Sykes made Layup.
- 2nd Half55-52Gavin Sykes made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half57-52Chris Hodges made Jumper.
- 2nd Half57-54Gavin Sykes made Jumper. Assisted by Isaiah Lewis.
- 2nd Half59-54Jeremiah Davis made Layup. Assisted by Jed Miller.
- 2nd Half59-57Gavin Sykes made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Cole Farrell.
- 2nd Half61-57Chris Hodges made Jumper. Assisted by Jeremiah Davis.
- 2nd Half61-59Cole Farrell made Layup.
- 2nd Half62-59Jed Miller made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half63-59Jed Miller made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half66-59Cavin Holden made Three Point Jumper. Assisted by Chris Hodges.
- 2nd Half66-61Gavin Sykes made Jumper.
- 2nd Half67-61Jed Miller made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half68-61Jed Miller made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half70-61Jeremiah Davis made Layup.
- 2nd Half70-63Gavin Sykes made Jumper.
- 2nd Half72-63Patrick McMahon made Layup.
- 2nd Half72-65Gavin Sykes made Jumper.
- 2nd Half72-67Shaquil Bender made Layup.
- 2nd Half73-67Davian Brown made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half73-69Shaquil Bender made Layup.
- 2nd Half73-70Shaquil Bender made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half75-70Patrick McMahon made Jumper.
- 2nd Half76-70Patrick McMahon made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half76-71Isaiah Lewis made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half76-72Isaiah Lewis made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half77-72Jed Miller made Free Throw.
- 2nd Half78-72Jed Miller made Free Throw.
Win probability
Above the line favours Long Beach State Beach, below favours Montana State Bobcats.
Venue
- LBS Financial Credit Union PyramidLong Beach, CA
- Attendance1808
- OfficialsShawn Lehigh, Kirk Smith, Peter Larson
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