CSU Fullerton is set to face Long Beach State in a thrilling matchup after a standout performance from Cristina Jones led the Titans to a narrow 92-87 victory over the CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners. The game will take place in Fullerton, California, on Thursday at 10 p.m. EST.
CSU Fullerton, with a strong record of 14 wins and 9 losses (10-3 in Big West play), has proven to be formidable at home, boasting a 7-5 record in their arena. The Titans have also shown resilience in close games, holding a 3-1 record in contests decided by four points or fewer.
On the other hand, Long Beach State has struggled this season, currently holding a record of 3-19 and only 2-10 against Big West opponents. The Beach has yet to secure a win against teams with a record above .500, facing challenges throughout their campaign.
In terms of shooting, CSU Fullerton averages 3.7 made three-pointers per game, significantly trailing the 7.7 threes per game that Long Beach State tends to allow. The Beach, with an average of 6.0 made three-pointers this season, exhibits a slight offensive advantage in this category, as they score 0.9 fewer threes per game than the Titans defend.
This meeting marks the first time these two teams will compete in conference play this season, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting contest.
Top performances to watch include Jones, who is averaging 17 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.1 steals for the Titans. Madelynn Muniz has also contributed, with an average of 1.2 three-pointers over the last ten games. For Long Beach State, Kennan Ka has been averaging six points while JaQuoia Jones-Brown finds herself averaging 14.5 points over her last ten outings.
In the last ten games, the Titans have maintained a solid 7-3 record, scoring 73.6 points per game while their opponents averaged 67.9 points. In contrast, the Beach has faced more difficulties, holding a 2-8 record and averaging just 57.1 points, with opponents scoring an average of 71.3 points against them.
With both teams eager for victory, particularly CSU Fullerton looking to build on their recent success, this matchup could be pivotal for each squad’s season progression.