Long Beach State pulled off a stunning upset at the Premier America Credit Union Arena, taking down Cal State Northridge 87-80. This victory is a significant boost for the Beach, considering they were ranked 31 spots lower than the Matadors in the latest net rankings. The win is even more impressive given Cal State Northridge's 11-9 record coming into the game, while Long Beach State sat at 8-13.
The first half was closely contested, with Cal State Northridge holding a slim 38-35 lead at the break. However, Long Beach State came out firing in the second half, outscoring the Matadors 52-42 to secure the win. Gavin Sykes was the catalyst for the Beach's offense, pouring in 34 points to lead all scorers. His performance was complemented by Rob Diaz III, who chipped in 18 points and 6 rebounds, and Petar Majstorovic, who added 14 points.
Cal State Northridge, on the other hand, was led by Larry Hughes II, who scored 21 points. James Evans Jr. and Joshua O'Garro also made significant contributions, with 17 and 15 points, respectively. O'Garro's 14 rebounds were a game-high, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Beach's high-powered offense.
The loss is a tough pill to swallow for Cal State Northridge, as it counts as a Quadrant 4 loss. This could have real consequences for their tournament resume, as they were expected to win against a lower-ranked opponent like Long Beach State. On the other hand, the win is a major Quadrant 3 victory for Long Beach State, which could help bolster their chances of making a postseason push.
It's worth noting that there was no pre-game prediction available for this matchup, making the upset even more surprising. Long Beach State's ability to go on the road and take down a higher-ranked opponent is a reflection of their resilience and determination.
As the season wears on, this win could be a crucial turning point for Long Beach State. With a net ranking of 244, they still have an uphill climb to make a serious tournament push. However, with wins like this, they can start to build momentum and make a case for themselves as a potential sleeper team. For Cal State Northridge, the loss is a setback, but they still have time to recover and make a push for the postseason. The Matadors must regroup and refocus, as they can't afford many more losses like this if they want to stay in the tournament conversation. The resume implications of this result are clear: Long Beach State has taken a significant step forward, while Cal State Northridge has taken a step back.