The Long Beach State men’s basketball team suffered another heartbreaking overtime defeat on the road, falling 89-83 to the San Jose State Spartans on Tuesday night. This tight loss marks the second consecutive road game that has extended into the extra frame for the Beach. Despite a courageous performance led by two standout underclassmen, Long Beach State could not close out the victory.
The fiercely contested game saw numerous swings in momentum, highlighted by 18 ties and 14 lead changes. Both teams finished regulation knotted at 77-77. The first half was a back-and-forth battle. Long Beach State jumped out to an early lead, but the Spartans countered with a 7-0 run to take their largest lead of nine points. The Beach fought back, tying the game at 35-35 before the teams went into halftime deadlocked at 39-39.
The roles reversed in the second half. San Jose State built a five-point advantage midway through the frame. Long Beach State then mounted a significant 8-0 run, taking back the lead. They stretched their advantage to a seemingly comfortable 77-68 with less than three minutes remaining in regulation.
However, the Spartans refused to concede the game on their home court. San Jose State launched a 9-0 run to close out the final minutes. A late layup by Yaphet Moundi tied the score at 77-all, forcing the extra period. Long Beach State’s inability to maintain its lead in the final moments of regulation proved costly.
In the overtime period, San Jose State’s guard Colby Garland took over the contest. Garland scored 10 of his game-high 27 points in the extra five minutes. The Spartans secured the win primarily through successful trips to the free-throw line. Garland alone converted all eight of his free-throw attempts in overtime. Long Beach State kept the score tied at 83-83, but a go-ahead bucket by Sadaraque NgaNga put the Spartans back on top for good. Garland then sealed the 89-83 final score with four clutch free throws in the final minute.
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Despite the loss, Long Beach State showcased exceptional offensive talent from its younger players. Freshman Gavin Sykes led the Beach with 26 points. Additionally, Petar Majstorovic had a strong all-around performance, contributing 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 steals. This marked the first time in over a year that two Long Beach State players each scored 20 or more points. Cole Farrell also chipped in 11 points and four assists.
The defeat drops Long Beach State’s overall record to 2-9. It underscores a pattern of strong play that fades in critical late-game moments. The team now returns home to face Pepperdine on December 18. They will look to end their string of challenging losses and gain momentum ahead of conference play.
