Long Beach State Edges Pepperdine in Close Contest
Thursday, December 18, 2025, 10:00 PM ET · LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid
Long Beach State Beach 81, Pepperdine Waves 78, 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 Pepperdine Waves vs Long Beach State Beach?
Long Beach State Beach beat Pepperdine Waves 81-78 at LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid on December 18, 2025.
Who was favored in Pepperdine Waves vs Long Beach State Beach?
Long Beach State Beach were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -192 (about 66% implied). The favorite won.
In a tightly contested matchup, Long Beach State Beach defeated Pepperdine Waves with a final score of 81-78 at the LBS Financial Credit Union Pyramid. This game was significant as it marked Long Beach State's first victory against Pepperdine in their recent meetings, improving their head-to-head record to 1-0 for the season. The game showcased the resilience of Long Beach State, who had been struggling with a recent record of 2-8 over their last ten games, including a three-game losing streak prior to this victory.
Long Beach State entered the game with a home record of 3-9, while Pepperdine had a slightly better away record of 4-8. In their last ten games, Long Beach State averaged 75.0 points scored per game but allowed 78.3 points, indicating defensive vulnerabilities. Their recent form included a mix of results, with their last five games yielding a record of 1-4 and an average of 76.6 points scored against 83.6 allowed. In contrast, Pepperdine had a record of 3-7 in their last ten games, with an average of 71.8 points scored and 73.7 points allowed. They were on a one-game winning streak coming into this match, having defeated Cal State Bakersfield 70-62 in their previous outing.
The game was characterized by a series of scoring plays that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. The second half saw several lead changes, with Long Beach State managing to pull ahead late in the game. Key moments included a layup by Rob Diaz III that brought the score to 78-75 in favor of Long Beach State and crucial free throws that sealed the victory. The scoring plays highlighted the back-and-forth nature of the contest, with both teams exchanging baskets in the closing minutes.
In terms of injuries, the block did not provide any specific details affecting either team, which may have contributed to the competitive nature of the game. The market had Long Beach State favored at -4.5 points, with a total set at 141.5 according to DraftKings. This indicated expectations of a closely matched game, which ultimately proved accurate given the final score.
Conditions at the venue were not detailed in the block, but the atmosphere was likely charged given the stakes of the game for both teams. Fans witnessed a thrilling encounter that showcased the determination of both sides. Viewers were treated to a display of skill and strategy, with Long Beach State managing to outlast Pepperdine in the final moments.
Overall, this matchup not only provided a much-needed victory for Long Beach State but also highlighted the competitive spirit of college basketball, where every game can shift momentum and impact team morale.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | LBSU -4.5 | 141.5 o -105 / u -115 | Pepperdine Waves +160 · Long Beach State Beach -192 |
Leaders
- PointsGavin Sykes23Long Beach State Beach
- AssistsGavin Sykes3Long Beach State Beach
- ReboundsPetar Majstorovic6Long Beach State Beach
- PointsStyles Phipps25Pepperdine Waves
- AssistsStyles Phipps7Pepperdine Waves
- ReboundsStyles Phipps8Pepperdine Waves
Recent form
Long Beach State Beach
Last 10: 2-8Streak L375 scored · 78.3 allowed per game2-3 at home
- L83-89at San José State SpartansDec 10
- L74-80vs UC San Diego TritonsDec 7
- L77-84at UC Santa Barbara GauchosDec 5
- W76-72vs San Diego TorerosNov 30
- L73-93at Portland PilotsNov 27
- L72-78vs Montana State BobcatsNov 22
- W87-54vs Nobel KnightsNov 20
- L80-82vs Illinois State RedbirdsNov 17
- L66-69at Pacific TigersNov 13
- L62-82at Fresno State BulldogsNov 8
Pepperdine Waves
Last 10: 3-7Streak W171.8 scored · 73.7 allowed per game1-3 away
- W70-62at Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersDec 14
- L56-65vs Vermont CatamountsDec 6
- L63-71vs Abilene Christian WildcatsDec 3
- L69-83at Cal State Fullerton TitansNov 29
- L53-76at Fresno State BulldogsNov 27
- L60-63vs Stephen F. Austin LumberjacksNov 22
- W90-79vs LSU New Orleans PrivateersNov 19
- L81-88vs Northern Colorado BearsNov 16
- W113-76vs Lincoln (CA) OaklandersNov 12
- L63-74at UCLA BruinsNov 8
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga | 31-4 | - | 16-2 |
| Saint Mary's | 27-6 | - | 16-2 |
| Santa Clara | 26-9 | 1 | 15-3 |
| Oregon State | 17-16 | 7 | 9-9 |
| Seattle U | 21-14 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Pacific | 18-15 | 8 | 8-10 |
| San Francisco | 17-16 | 8 | 8-10 |
| Washington State | 12-20 | 9 | 7-11 |
| Loyola Marymount | 15-17 | 10 | 6-12 |
| Portland | 15-19 | 10 | 6-12 |
| San Diego | 12-21 | 11 | 5-13 |
| Pepperdine | 9-23 | 12 | 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 | Pepperdine Waves | Long Beach State Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 31-53 | 30-56 |
| Field goal % | 58 | 54 |
| Three-pointers | 8-22 | 6-10 |
| Three-point % | 36 | 60 |
| Free throws | 8-10 | 15-19 |
| Free throw % | 80 | 79 |
| Rebounds | 29 | 21 |
| Offensive rebounds | 5 | 5 |
| Defensive rebounds | 24 | 16 |
| Assists | 15 | 14 |
| Steals | 3 | 8 |
| Blocks | 1 | 1 |
| Turnovers | 18 | 9 |
| Team turnovers | 4 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 15 | 22 |
| Fast-break points | 2 | 2 |
| Points in the paint | 44 | 42 |
| Fouls | 16 | 17 |
| Largest lead | 8 | 4 |
| Lead changes | 17 | 17 |
| Time in front | 60 | 28 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half45-44Danilo Dožic makes 7-foot hook shot (Yonatan Levy assists)
- 2nd Half45-47Gavin Sykes makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half47-47Styles Phipps makes layup
- 2nd Half47-49Petar Majstorovic makes layup (Leopold Levillain assists)
- 2nd Half47-51Gavin Sykes makes layup
- 2nd Half49-51Javon Cooley makes 3-foot alley oop dunk (Styles Phipps assists)
- 2nd Half52-51Yonatan Levy makes 23-foot three point jumper (Luka Vudragovic assists)
- 2nd Half52-53Leopold Levillain makes 4-foot hook shot (Petar Majstorovic assists)
- 2nd Half54-53Styles Phipps makes layup
- 2nd Half55-53Styles Phipps makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half55-56Gavin Sykes makes 24-foot three point jumper (Petar Majstorovic assists)
- 2nd Half55-58Petar Majstorovic makes layup
- 2nd Half58-58Danilo Dožic makes 24-foot three point jumper (Styles Phipps assists)
- 2nd Half58-60Gavin Sykes makes layup
- 2nd Half60-60Javon Cooley makes layup (Danilo Dožic assists)
- 2nd Half60-62Isaiah Lewis makes 15-foot jumper
- 2nd Half62-62Javon Cooley makes 5-foot jumper
- 2nd Half62-64Gavin Sykes makes layup
- 2nd Half64-64Styles Phipps makes 5-foot step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half65-64Styles Phipps makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half67-64Styles Phipps makes 4-foot hook shot
- 2nd Half68-64Styles Phipps makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half68-66Petar Majstorovic makes layup (Rob Diaz III assists)
- 2nd Half68-67Petar Majstorovic makes free throw 1 of 1
- 2nd Half68-68Leopold Levillain makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half68-69Leopold Levillain makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half70-69Javon Cooley makes 11-foot jumper (Styles Phipps assists)
- 2nd Half70-72Shaquil Bender makes 25-foot three point jumper (Petar Majstorovic assists)
- 2nd Half73-72Javon Cooley makes 24-foot three point jumper (Danilo Dožic assists)
- 2nd Half73-74Petar Majstorovic makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half73-73Petar Majstorovic makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half74-74Javon Cooley makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half75-74Javon Cooley makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half75-76Petar Majstorovic makes 8-foot floating jump shot (Gavin Sykes assists)
- 2nd Half75-78Rob Diaz III makes layup
- 2nd Half76-78Styles Phipps makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-79Gavin Sykes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half78-79Danilo Dožic makes layup (Styles Phipps assists)
- 2nd Half78-80Rob Diaz III makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half78-81Rob Diaz III makes free throw 2 of 2
Win probability
Above the line favours Long Beach State Beach, below favours Pepperdine Waves.
Venue
- LBS Financial Credit Union PyramidLong Beach, CA
- Attendance1006
- OfficialsRandy McCall, Tony Padilla, Brooks Wells
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