- Matchup: Long Beach State Beach vs Cal Poly Mustangs
- Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
- Venue: Mott Athletics Center in San Luis Obispo, CA
- Broadcast: ESPN+
This page may include affiliate links at no extra cost to you, thanks for your support.
The Cal Poly Mustangs (12-16) are set to clash with the Long Beach State Beach (8-20) at Mott Athletics Center this Thursday.
Recently, the Long Beach State Beach fought against Cal State Northridge, suffering a narrow defeat with a final score of 78-76. The Beach showcased a field goal percentage of 43.1% by sinking 25 of 58 attempts and found success from three-point range, making 12 out of 26. At the foul line, they capitalized on 14 of their 19 attempts, achieving a conversion rate of 73.7%. They recorded 31 rebounds, including 7 offensive boards, and provided 17 assists while turning the ball over 9 times and securing 3 steals. Defensively, Long Beach State allowed their opponents to shoot 47.8% from the field with 33 successful shots out of 69 attempts. Cal State Northridge managed 16 assists and grabbed 32 rebounds (9 offensive, 23 defensive) but did not register any blocks, finishing with a free throw shooting rate of 50.0% after hitting 9 of 18 shots. Long Beach State committed 22 personal fouls in contrast to Cal State Northridge’s 18 fouls.
A standout in this game was Shaquil Bender, who completed 55.6% of his shots while recording 2 assists. Over 26 minutes, he secured 3 rebounds and netted 27 points on 10 of 18 shooting.
The Long Beach State team enters the tournament with a record of 8-20 this season. They average 73.6 points per game (ranking 244th in college basketball), shooting 45.0% from the field. The Beach have a three-point shooting rate of 32.1% (185 of 577) and convert 73.7% of free throw attempts. As a unit, they collect 32.6 rebounds per game and have provided 378 assists this season, ranking them 219th in Division 1 for assists. On average, they commit 12.7 turnovers and 19.9 fouls each game.
On the defensive front, the Beach generate 13.5 turnovers per game while enduring 16.6 fouls from opponents. They permit a 35.6% shooting rate from beyond the arc and currently rank 259th nationally for points allowed per game (76.8). Their defense has allowed opponents to shoot at a rate of 47.4% (743 of 1,569) and averages 34.1 rebounds per game. They rank 264th in allowing assists, having surrendered 402 throughout the season.
The last time Cal Poly Mustangs took to the court, they celebrated a victory, defeating Hawaii 86-75. In terms of rebounding, Cal Poly allowed Hawaii to secure 42 boards (including 12 offensive rebounds). The Mustangs struggled from deep, shooting just 13.0% by converting 3 out of 23 attempts but managed an impressive 68.4% from the foul line, hitting 26 of 38. They limited Hawaii’s field goal percentage to 38.3% after allowing 23 of 60 attempts. Ultimately, Cal Poly shot 45.2% from the field (28 for 62) and drained 8 of 28 three-point attempts (28.6%). Compounded by earning 27 free throw opportunities due to Hawaii’s 24 fouls, the Mustangs endured 13 turnovers while achieving 9 steals and collecting 29 rebounds in total (24 defensive and 5 offensive).
A key player for Cal Poly, Hamad Mousa logged 24 points during his 36 minutes on the floor, along with 1 assist. He shot 5 of 17 from the field, resulting in a 29.4% shooting percentage, and collected 9 rebounds.
This season, Cal Poly holds a record of 12-16. Offensively, they shoot 43.5% from the field, positioning them 286th in the nation. To date, the Mustangs have accumulated 2,282 points (81.5 per game) while averaging 37.6 rebounds. They recorded 13.2 assists per game, placing them 243rd in D-1, and commit 15.9 turnovers per game while averaging 19.5 fouls.
Defensively, the Mustangs allow a 34.9% shooting rate from three-point range (273 of 782) and permit opponents to convert 72.6% of free throws. They relinquish 15.6 assists and 37.5 total rebounds per game, ranking them 318th and 332nd respectively. In points allowed, they rank 360th nationally, giving up 84.9 points per game. The Mustangs force an average of 13.0 turnovers while allowing opponents a field goal percentage of 45.7% (273rd in the country).
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s NCAA matchup against the spread?
Pick: Opt for Long Beach State
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up or make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission always at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping us keep this site running.
