Long Beach State defeats Pepperdine, 95-90

Long Beach State finally got its offense clicking Thursday night, setting a season high in points and holding off a late charge by Pepperdine in a 95-90 nonconference victory at the Pyramid in Long Beach.

The 49ers (4-4) led the nation with an 83.3 scoring average last season but was averaging 64.6 before Thursday and had scored more than 80 only once.

But Sterling Byrd had a career-high 26 points on 10-for-13 shooting; Kejuan Johnson, playing for the first time since breaking his nose Nov. 24, had 15 points, and the 49ers set season highs with 56.9% shooting and 10 three-point baskets.

Long Beach led, 88-70, with four minutes to play, but the Waves (2-7), led by Marvin Lea, rallied with a 15-5 run in the final 2 minutes 13 seconds. Lea scored 16 of his career-high 34 points in the final 2:37.

“We expect to be able to score some points so it was good to see us make some shots,” Long Beach Coach Larry Reynolds said. “We were too complacent in the last three or four minutes and we need to be able to protect that lead.”

-- Peter Yoon